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Clinical Features of COVID-19-Related Liver Damage

22 Pages Posted: 5 Mar 2020

See all articles by Zhenyu Fan

Zhenyu Fan

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Liping Chen

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Jun Li

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Cheng Tian

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Yajun Zhang

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Shaoping Huang

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Zhanju Liu

Tongji University - Department of Gastroenterology; Tongji University - Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital

Jilin Cheng

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

More...

Abstract

Background: A recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs mainly in China, with rapidly increasing the number of cases (namely COVID-19). Abnormal liver functions are frequently present in these patients, here we aimed to clarify the clinical features of COVID-19-related liver damage to provide some references for the clinical treatment.

Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, we included all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20 to January 31, 2020. The outcomes were followed up until February 19, 2020. A total of 148 cases were analyzed for clinical features, laboratory parameters (including liver function tests), medications and the length of stay.

Findings: Of 148 confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, 49.3% were females and 50.7% were males. The median age was 50.5 years (interquartile range, 36-64). Patients had clinical manifestations of fever (70.1%), cough (45.3%), expectoration (26.7%) at admission. 75 patients (50.7%) showed abnormal liver functions at admission. Patients (n = 75) who had elevated liver function index were more likely to have a moderate-high degree fever (44% vs 27.4%; p = 0.035) and significantly present in male patients (62.67% vs 38.36%; p = 0.005). The numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly lower in abnormal liver function group than those in normal liver function group. There was no statistical difference in prehospital medications between normal and abnormal liver function groups, while the utilization rate of lopinavir/ritonavir after admission was significantly higher in patients with emerging liver injury than that in patients with normal liver functions. Importantly, the emerging abnormal liver functions after admission caused a prolonged length of stay.

Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2 may cause the liver function damage and the Lopinavir/ritonavir should be applied carefully for the treatment of COVID-19.

Funding Statement: Shanghai Science and Technology Commission Fund Project and National Science and Technology Major Project

Declaration of Interests: No conflict of interest exists.

Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center (2019-S047-02, Review date: Jan 13, 2020) and was exempted from the need for informed consent from patients

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Liver function; Lopinavir/ritonavir

Suggested Citation

Fan, Zhenyu and Chen, Liping and Li, Jun and Tian, Cheng and Zhang, Yajun and Huang, Shaoping and Liu, Zhanju and Cheng, Jilin, Clinical Features of COVID-19-Related Liver Damage (2/27/2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3546077 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3546077

Zhenyu Fan

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Liping Chen

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Jun Li

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Cheng Tian

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Yajun Zhang

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Shaoping Huang

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

China

Zhanju Liu

Tongji University - Department of Gastroenterology ( email )

No. 301
Middle Yanchang Road
Shanghai, 200072
China

Tongji University - Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital ( email )

Jilin Cheng (Contact Author)

Fudan University - Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology ( email )

China