Co-existing chronic liver disease presented up to 37.6% of patients with COVID-19

Objectives:
The number of cases with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has exceeded seven million worldwide. However, the data describing the global prevalence of liver injury associated with COVID-19 is lacking secondary to the novelty of this ongoing pandemic. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

Is liver injury associated with COVID-19?

Study design:
This review article included 64 studies with 11,245 patients with COVID-19.

Results and conclusions:   
The investigators found the pattern of abnormal liver enzymes was notable for higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

The investigators found the overall global prevalence of elevated AST, ALT, total bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase was 23.2, 21.2, 9.7, 15.0 and 4.0%, respectively.

The investigators found the prevalence of elevated AST was substantially higher among those with severe cases (45.5%) compared to non-severe cases (15.0%).

The investigators found co-existing chronic liver disease presented up to 37.6% of patients with COVID-19.

The investigators concluded a fourth of COVID-19 patients has elevated liver enzymes and is associated with disease severity. These findings may be used as a guide for clinicians and epidemiologists to proactively identify other sources of injury and illness in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Intensive monitoring for liver injury may be needed in cases with severe COVID-19.

Original title:
COVID-19 and Liver Injury: A Meta-Analysis by Wijarnpreecha K, Ungprasert P, […], Kim D.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32639420/

Additional information of El Mondo:
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