The Association of Liver Enzymes with Disease Severity in PCR positive COVID-19 Patients

Authors: Arabi M, Samimagham HR, Hooshyar D, Shariaat Nabavi SJ and KazemiJahromi M*

DOI: 10.23880/doij-16000245

Volume 6, Issue 3

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the relationship between liver enzymes and severity of COVID-19. Furthermore, patients with clinical diagnosis (PCR negative) and patients with definitive laboratory diagnosis (PCR positive) of COVID-19 were compared in terms of disease severity. Method: This cross-sectional study enrolled 158 patients with COVID-19 admitted based on chest CT scan findings to the COVID-19 ward of Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, affiliated with Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (Iran).Reversetranscriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was performed for all the patients, who were accordingly divided into groups of PCR negative COVID-19 with clinical diagnosis, and COVID-19 with definitive laboratory diagnosis. Results: The results indicated a significant elevation of AST (Aspartate transaminase) and Alanine transaminase (ALT) in the PCR positive group compared to the PCR negative group (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, respectively). The results also showed a correlation between AST level and COVID-19 severity (p < 0.01, OR = 2.06). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between ESR and the levels of AST and ALT (r = 0.24 for AST, r = 0.47 for ALT). Conclusion: AST and ALT significantly increased in the PCR positive group compared to the PCR negative group, and AST was correlated with COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between ESR and the levels of AST and ALT. Therefore, COVID-19 involves liver both directly and through the inflammatory system.

Keywords: COVID-19; Severity; Liver Enzymes

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