Prediction of Complications and Death in Covid-19 Patients with Deranged Liver Function Tests at Time of Admission and Hospitalization

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of individuals globally over the last three years and is spreading continuously. In view of different studies and clinical findings, patients suffering with COVID-19 frequently have deranged liver function tests (LFTs), but the clinical significance of this finding is debatable. Objective: The present study was aimed to estimate the prevalence, features, and clinical significance of deranged LFTs in COVID-19 infected individuals, who were hospitalized but were not critically ill. Method: We conducted a cross sectional from May 2021 to December 2021 at The Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital Islamabd. A total of 250 COVID-19 patients were included in the current study. The patient's blood samples were collected to get laboratory results, which included LFTs. LFTs were performed at the time of admission and every 5 ± 2 day throughout the stay. The outcome measure was either death or transfer of the patients to an intensive care unit. Results: At the time of admission, 160 patients (64%) showed deranged LFTs. Individuals with deranged LFTs experienced more severe inflammation, swelling, and organ damage than those who didn’t. Patients with deranged LFTs had a greater proportion of transfer to the ICU (81 vs 17), hospital stay (17 vs 7 days), and death (17 vs 5) than those with normal LFTs. Conclusion: The results of the current investigation demonstrated that LFTs data might forecast the degree of illness in patients with COVID-19 infections at the time of admission and during their hospital stay. Keywords: Covid-19, Liver Function Tests, ICU, Mortality Rate, Pakistan

Epidemiological studies of COVID-19 disease

“…In 2002, another coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was emerged in KSA, with similar disease symptoms to SARS-CoV disease. Enthusiastic search for origin of MERS-CoV was initiated due to lack of serological evidence and previous history of exposure [5,[52][53][54]. Founded on the experience of the SARS coronavirus, MERS coronavirus was believed to be transmitted from bat as well, however eventually a coronavirus similar to the one isolated from infected patient in Saudi Arabia was identified in camels subsequent to concise analysis of supposed animals, hence camels were recognized as origin of MERS coronavirus [55].…”

“…The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) officially by WHO [4]. After its emergence, COVID-19 spread rapidly globally [5], becoming a significant public health concern for researchers worldwide [6][7][8]. The size of the betacoronavirus genome is 26-32kb approximately while overall virus size is about 60-140nm [9,10].…”