Clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with pre-existing liver diseases: A multicenter study in South Korea
- Author:
Yu Rim LEE
1
;
Min Kyu KANG
;
Jeong Eun SONG
;
Hyun Jung KIM
;
Young Oh KWEON
;
Won Young TAK
;
Se Young JANG
;
Jung Gil PARK
;
Changhyeong LEE
;
Jae Seok HWANG
;
Byoung Kuk JANG
;
Jeong Ill SUH
;
Woo Jin CHUNG
;
Byung Seok KIM
;
Soo Young PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2020;26(4):562-576
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:0
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide, the implication of pre-existing liver disease on the outcome of COVID-19 remains unresolved.
Methods:A total of 1,005 patients who were admitted to five tertiary hospitals in South Korea with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 were included in this study. Clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients with coexisting liver disease as well as the predictors of disease severity and mortality of COVID-19 were assessed.
Results:Of the 47 patients (4.7%) who had liver-related comorbidities, 14 patients (1.4%) had liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis was more common in COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia than in those with non-severe pneumonia (4.5% vs. 0.9%, P=0.006). Compared to patients without liver cirrhosis, a higher proportion of patients with liver cirrhosis required oxygen therapy; were admitted to the intensive care unit; had septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or acute kidney injury; and died (P<0.05). The overall survival rate was significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis than in those without liver cirrhosis (log-rank test, P=0.003). Along with old age and diabetes, the presence of liver cirrhosis was found to be an independent predictor of severe disease (odds ratio, 4.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–17.02;P=0.026) and death (hazard ratio, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.04–9.30; P=0.042) in COVID-19 patients.
Conclusions:This study suggests liver cirrhosis is a significant risk factor for COVID-19. Stronger personal protection and more intensive treatment for COVID-19 are recommended in these patients.
