Risk factors for COVID-19-related liver injury

Abstract

BACKGROUND Abnormal liver function is frequently present in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and the reasons for abnormal liver function are still largely unknown. In the present study, we performed a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases to identify the risk factors for liver injury. AIM To identify the risk factors for COVID-19-related liver injury. METHODS One-hundred patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Huoshenshan Hospital between February 4 and February 29, 2020 were included. Basic information and laboratory parameters (liver function tests) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Of the 100 COVID-19 patients included, 54% were male and 46% were female. The average age was 59.89 ± 13.07 years. The patients had clinical manifestations of fever (81%), cough (64%), and limb fatigue (52%) at preadmission. Abnormal liver function was observed in 38 patients, including elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 28 patients), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 10 patients), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT; 20 patients). Patients who had elevated ALT, AST, or GGT were significantly more often present in male patients (P < 0.001, P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistical difference in liver function parameters between patients who received and did not receive prehospital treatment. CONCLUSION Abnormal liver function is more likely to be observed in male patients with COVID-19.