Impact of Liver Test Abnormalities and Chronic Liver Disease on the Clinical Outcomes of Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19

Background and Aims: The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the liver and the possibility of chronic liver disease (CLD) as a risk factor for COVID-19 severity is not fully understood. Our goal was to describe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 inpatients regarding the presence of abnormal liver tests and CLD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalized in a tertiary center in Portugal, was performed. Studied outcomes were disease and hospitalization length, COVID-19 severity, admission to intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality, analyzed by the presence of abnormal liver tests and CLD. Results: We included 317 inpatients with a mean age of 70.4 years, 50.5% males. COVID-19 severity was moderate to severe in 57.4% and critical in 12.9%. The mean disease length was 37.8 days, the median hospitalization duration 10.0 days and overall mortality 22.8%. At admission, 50.3% showed abnormal liver tests, and 41.5% showed elevated aminotransferase levels, from which 75.4% were mild. Elevated aminotransferase levels at admission were associated with COVID-19 severity (78.7 vs. 63.3%, p = 0.01), ICU admission (13.1 vs. 5.92%, p = 0.034) and increased mortality (25.8 vs. 13.3%, p = 0.007). However, in a subgroup analysis, only aspartate transaminase (AST) was associated with these worse outcomes. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 11.4% of the patients and was associated with critical COVID-19 (21.1 vs. 9.92%, p = 0.044) and mortality (20.4 vs. 9.52%, p = 0.025), while 24.6% of the patients showed elevated γ-glutamyl transferase, which was associated with ICU admission (42.3 vs. 22.8%, p = 0.028). Fourteen patients had baseline CLD (4.42%), 3 with liver cirrhosis. Alcohol (n = 6) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (n = 6) were the most frequent etiologies. CLD patients had critical COVID-19 in 21.4% (p = 0.237), mean disease length of 36.6 days (p = 0.291), median hospitalization duration of 11.5 days (p = 0.447) and a mortality rate of 28.6% (p = 0.595), which increased to 66.7% among cirrhotic patients (p = 0.176). Conclusions: Liver test abnormalities in COVID-19 patients were frequent but most commonly mild. AST, but not alanine transaminase, was associated with worse clinical outcomes, such as COVID-19 severity and mortality, probably indicating these outcomes were independent of liver injury. A low prevalence of CLD was seen, and a clear impact on COVID-19 outcomes was not seen.

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Comparison of the impact of chronic corticosteroid therapy on critical care outcomes of COVID-19 patients with and without history of chronic liver disease

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-98778-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hammad Liaquat ◽

Brittney Shupp ◽

Samantha Rollins ◽

Yecheskel Schneider ◽

Ayaz Matin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Icu Admission ◽

History Of ◽

Chronic Corticosteroid ◽

The Impact

AbstractThere is a paucity of studies investigating the impact of chronic corticosteroid use for coexisting conditions in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Additionally, the information regarding the impact of chronic liver disease (CLD) on COVID-19 outcomes is evolving. Our study aims to investigate hospitalization outcomes of patients with COVID-19 on long term corticosteroids for coexisting conditions while also seeking to compare outcomes between such patients with a history of CLD to analyze the impact on mortality. We conducted a retrospective chart review across our 10-hospital network identifying patients on chronic corticosteroids (Prednisone ≥ 5 mg daily dose or equivalent dose of another steroid, for a duration of 30 days or more) who were hospitalized with COVID-19 from March 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020. Of these patients who met inclusion criteria, patients were then divided into groups based upon their history of CLD. Primary outcomes of the study looked to investigate the hospitalization outcomes of patients with a history of CLD and comorbid conditions requiring chronic corticosteroid use. Secondary outcomes sought to further investigate risk factors for mortality in our study sample. 837 charts were reviewed. 139 patients met inclusion criteria of which 34 patients had a history of CLD. Statistical analysis demonstrated no difference in length of hospital stay but increased ICU admission rate in the CLD group (41.2% vs 23.8%). No statistically significant difference was seen in between the CLD and non-CLD groups in term of complication rates and 28-day mortality. However, chronic corticosteroids patients were found to have higher rates of ICU admission and overall 28-day and ICU mortality in comparison to patients who were not on chronic corticosteroids prior to COVID-19 hospitalization. The larger contributor to COVID-19 severity was likely chronic corticosteroid use rather than CLD and thus chronic corticosteroid use should be limited throughout the COVID-19 pandemic especially in patients with additional speculated risk factors for COVID-19 such as CLD.

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Possible unrecognised liver injury is associated with mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology ◽

10.1177/17562848211023410 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 175628482110234

Author(s):

Mario Romero-Cristóbal ◽

Ana Clemente-Sánchez ◽

Patricia Piñeiro ◽

Jamil Cedeño ◽

Laura Rayón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Liver Injury ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Risk Of Death ◽

The Impact

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) with acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening condition. A previous diagnosis of chronic liver disease is associated with poorer outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of silent liver injury has not been investigated. We aimed to explore the association of pre-admission liver fibrosis indices with the prognosis of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: The work presented was an observational study in 214 patients with COVID-19 consecutively admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Pre-admission liver fibrosis indices were calculated. In-hospital mortality and predictive factors were explored with Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. Results: The mean age was 59.58 (13.79) years; 16 patients (7.48%) had previously recognised chronic liver disease. Up to 78.84% of patients according to Forns, and 45.76% according to FIB-4, had more than minimal fibrosis. Fibrosis indices were higher in non-survivors [Forns: 6.04 (1.42) versus 4.99 (1.58), p < 0.001; FIB-4: 1.77 (1.17) versus 1.41 (0.91), p = 0.020)], but no differences were found in liver biochemistry parameters. Patients with any degree of fibrosis either by Forns or FIB-4 had a higher mortality, which increased according to the severity of fibrosis ( p < 0.05 for both indexes). Both Forns [HR 1.41 (1.11–1.81); p = 0.006] and FIB-4 [HR 1.31 (0.99–1.72); p = 0.051] were independently related to survival after adjusting for the Charlson comorbidity index, APACHE II, and ferritin. Conclusion: Unrecognised liver fibrosis, assessed by serological tests prior to admission, is independently associated with a higher risk of death in patients with severe COVID-19 admitted to the ICU.

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Challenging management of severe chronic disorders in acute pandemic situation: Chronic liver disease under COVID-19 pandemic as the proof-of-principle model to orchestrate the measures in 3PM context

The EPMA Journal ◽

10.1007/s13167-021-00231-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Lubomir Skladany ◽

Tomas Koller ◽

Svetlana Adamcova Selcanova ◽

Janka Vnencakova ◽

Daniela Jancekova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Active Management ◽

Comprehensive Treatment ◽

List Type ◽

Individualized Care ◽

Chronic Disorder ◽

Tertiary Center

AbstractChronic liver disease management is a comprehensive approach requiring multi-professional expertise and well-orchestrated healthcare measures thoroughly organized by responsible medical units. Contextually, the corresponding multi-faceted chain of healthcare events is likely to be severely disturbed or even temporarily broken under the force majeure conditions such as global pandemics. Consequently, the chronic liver disease is highly representative for the management of any severe chronic disorder under lasting pandemics with unprecedented numbers of acutely diseased persons who, together with the chronically sick patient cohorts, have to be treated using the given capacity of healthcare systems with their limited resources. Current study aimed at exploring potentially negative impacts of the SARS CoV-2 outbreak on the quality of the advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) management considering two well-classified parameters, namely, (1) the continuity of the patient registrations and (2) the level of mortality rates, comparing pre-COVID-19 statistics with these under the current pandemic in Slovak Republic. Altogether 1091 registrations to cirrhosis registry (with 60.8% versus 39.2% males to females ratio) were included with a median age of 57 years for patients under consideration. Already within the very first 3 months of the pandemic outbreak in Slovakia (lockdown declared from March 16, 2020, until May 20, 2020), the continuity of the patient registrations has been broken followed by significantly increased ACLD-related death rates. During this period of time, the total number of new registrations decreased by about 60% (15 registrations in 2020 versus 38 in 2018 and 38 in 2019). Corresponding mortality increased by about 52% (23 deaths in 2020 versus 10 in 2018 and 12 in 2019). Based on these results and in line with the framework of 3PM guidelines, the pandemic priority pathways (PPP) are strongly recommended for maintaining tertiary care uninterrupted. For the evidence-based implementation of PPP, creation of predictive algorithms and individualized care strategy tailored to the patient is essential. Resulting classification of measures is summarized as follows: The Green PPP Line is reserved for prioritized (urgent and comprehensive) treatment of patients at highest risk to die from ACLD (tertiary care) as compared to the risk from possible COVID-19 infection. The Orange PPP Line considers patients at middle risk of adverse outcomes from ACLD with re-addressing them to the secondary care. As further deterioration of ACLD is still probable, pro-active management is ascertained with tertiary center serving as the 24/7 telemedicine consultation hub for a secondary facility (on a physician-physician level). The Red PPP Line is related to the patients at low risk to die from ACLD, re-addressing them to the primary care. Since patients with stable chronic liver diseases without advanced fibrosis are at trivial inherent risk, they should be kept out of the healthcare setting as far as possible by the telemedical (patient-nurse or patient- physician) measurements. The assigned priority has to be monitored and re-evaluated individually—in intervals based on the baseline prognostic score such as MELD. The approach is conform with principles of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine (PPPM / 3PM) and demonstrates a potential of great clinical utility for an optimal management of any severe chronic disorder (cardiovascular, neurological and cancer) under lasting pandemics.

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Health-related quality of life in chronic liver disease: the impact of type and severity of disease

The American Journal of Gastroenterology ◽

10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.03956.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 96 (7) ◽

pp. 2199-2205 ◽

Cited By ~ 184

Author(s):

Zobair M Younossi ◽

Navdeep Boparai ◽

Lori Lyn Price ◽

Michelle L Kiwi ◽

Marilyn McCormick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Severity Of Disease ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

The Impact

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Enhanced liver fibrosis test can predict clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease

Gut ◽

10.1136/gut.2009.203166 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 59 (9) ◽

pp. 1245-1251 ◽

Cited By ~ 184

Author(s):

J. Parkes ◽

P. Roderick ◽

S. Harris ◽

C. Day ◽

D. Mutimer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Chronic Liver

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Reply to: “Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging to predict clinical outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease: A cautionary note on a promising technique”

Journal of Hepatology ◽

10.1016/j.jhep.2016.10.022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 457-458

Author(s):

Michael Pavlides ◽

Rajarshi Banerjee ◽

Catherine J. Kelly ◽

Matthew D. Robson ◽

Stefan Neubauer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Cautionary Note ◽

Promising Technique ◽

Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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Impact of Severity of Chronic Liver Disease on Health-Related Economics

Hepatitis Monthly ◽

10.5812/hepatmon.97933 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Fakhar Ali Qazi Arisar ◽

Muhammad Kamran ◽

Ramlah Nadeem ◽

Wasim Jafri

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Economic Status ◽

Treatment Compliance ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Medical Expenses ◽

Severity Of Disease ◽

The Family ◽

The Impact

Background: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is accountable for a multifaceted disease encumbrance upsetting the psychological, physical, and economic health of not only the patients but also their caregivers. Objectives: The study purposes to cover the economic aspect of CLD to comprehend the financial burden imposed on the patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The CLD patients presenting in gastroenterology clinics were recruited, and their socio-demographic, financial, and disease-related information including Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) scores were collected. Out of 190 CLD patients enrolled, 127 (67.2%) were males. The mean age was 50.09 years. Variables assessed include self-perceived social/economic status, self-perception of disease responsibility for worsening of social/economic situation, the impact of the disease on economic status due to medical expense, the impact of economic status on treatment compliance due to medical expenses, impact of severity of disease on socioeconomic status and treatment compliance, and impact of gender on disease status and treatment compliance. Results: Regardless of the disease duration, CLD significantly impacted a patient’s life, as 81% and 69% of the patients blamed their disease responsible for the worsening of social and economic conditions, respectively. In our study, 85% of patients had consumed all savings during their course of illness, and 67% had to borrow money for medical expenses. Nearly half of the patients had to leave or cut short their medicines, skip the physician's appointment, or defer their children's education. One-third of patients had unpaid medical and utility bills or even skipped their meals. The severity of disease affected the socioeconomic status significantly (89% in CTP class C vs. 40% in CTP class A). Patients with worsening socioeconomic status had significantly higher MELD scores as compared to those with stable socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Chronic liver disease imposes incredible socioeconomic encumbrance on patients and the family unit, and CLD associated expenditures influence the family unit’s everyday working and therapeutic compliance, which is directly linked to the severity of disease expressed in terms of CTP and MELD scores.

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Dynamic changes in liver function parameters in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a multicentre, retrospective study

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06572-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qing-Lei Zeng ◽

Zu-Jiang Yu ◽

Fanpu Ji ◽

Guang-Ming Li ◽

Guo-Fan Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Liver Function ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase ◽

Dynamic Changes ◽

Viral Shedding ◽

Glutamyl Transferase ◽

Multicentre Retrospective Study

Abstract Background Liver injuries have been reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to investigate the clinical role played by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods In this multicentre, retrospective study, the parameters of liver function tests in COVID-19 inpatients were compared between various time-points in reference to SARS-CoV-2 shedding, and 3 to 7 days before the first detection of viral shedding was regarded as the reference baseline. Results In total, 70 COVID-19 inpatients were enrolled. Twenty-two (31.4%) patients had a self-medication history after illness. At baseline, 10 (14.3%), 7 (10%), 9 (12.9%), 2 (2.9%), 15 (21.4%), and 4 (5.7%) patients already had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, and total bilirubin (TBIL) values, respectively. ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not show any significant dynamic changes during the full period of viral shedding (all p > 0.05). The GGT abnormal rate (p = 0.008) and level (p = 0.033) significantly increased on day 10 of viral shedding. Meanwhile, no simultaneous significant increases in abnormal ALP rates and levels were observed. TBIL abnormal rates and levels significantly increased on days 1 and 5 of viral shedding (all p < 0.05). Albumin abnormal decrease rates increased, and levels decreased consistently from baseline to SARS-CoV-2 clearance day (all p < 0.05). Thirteen (18.6%) patients had chronic liver disease, two of whom died. The ALT and AST abnormal rates and levels did not increase in patients with chronic liver disease during SARS-CoV-2 shedding. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 does not directly lead to elevations in ALT and AST but may result in elevations in GGT and TBIL; albumin decreased extraordinarily even when SARS-CoV-2 shedding ended.

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Liver Fibrosis is Associated with a Decrease in Gait Speed in Older Men with Chronic Liver Disease: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-819599/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kenichi Fudeyasu ◽

Takuo Nomura ◽

Toshihiro Kawae ◽

Daisuke Iwaki ◽

Yuki Nakashima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Chronic Liver Disease ◽

Motor Function ◽

Gait Speed ◽

Older Patients ◽

Knee Extension ◽

Chronic Liver ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Although it has already been reported that chronic liver disease (CLD) can induce sarcopenia, the impact of sarcopenia, especially on motor function, in older patients with CLD is still unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of liver fibrosis on motor function in these patients.Methods: In all, 117 older patients with CLD aged above 60 years (men, n=70; women, n=47) were included in this study. We examined the presence or absence of sarcopenia and checked motor functions such as muscle strength and walking speed. The results were compared between patients with FIB-4 index of >3.25, indicative of severe-degree liver fibrosis (SLF), and those with an index of <3.25, indicative of low-degree liver fibrosis (LLF). We also analyzed the factors related to the decrease in gait speed.Results: The decrease in gait speed (<1.0 m/s) was significantly higher (P = 0.027) and the knee extension force (KEF) was significantly lower (P = 0.010) in men with SLF than in those with LLF. In this study, liver fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.56–0.90) and KEF (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02–1.16) were identified as factors associated with the decrease in gait speed.Conclusions: Older male patients with CLD have decreased motor function as the disease progresses. We found that the decrease in gait speed is related to liver fibrosis and KEF. It is necessary to focus on the motor function of older patients with CLD, especially the gait speed.

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