Changes in serum β₂‒microglobulin levels after SARS‒Cov‒2 vaccination and incidence of its infection in hemodialysis patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the association between changes in the blood β₂‒microglobulin (β₂‒MG) level after COVID‒19 vaccination and incidence of COVID‒19 in patients undergoing hemodialysis. [Methods] We evaluated changes in serum β₂‒MG before and after the seventh COVID‒19 vaccination (Δβ₂‒MG) in 350 patients undergoing hemodialysis at our facility. The incidence after the seventh vaccination was followed for one year. [Results] On univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, lower Δβ₂‒MG was correlated with a significantly increased risk of developing COVID‒19. Based on multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, lower Δβ₂‒MG was significantly correlated with the risk of developing COVID‒19 independently of age, sex, and duration of dialysis. Lower Δβ₂‒MG was a risk factor for developing COVID‒19 in both models in which serum albumin, body mass index, and diabetes mellitus were used as explanatory factors instead of duration of dialysis. [Conclusion] The results suggest that changes in β₂‒MG after COVID‒19 vaccination are correlated with the incidence of COVID‒19 in patients undergoing hemodialysis.