ASSESSMENT OF LIVER FUNCTION IMPAIRMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON SYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 INFECTED PATIENTS

Abstract

It is noted in literature that a significant number of COVID-19 infected patients had abnormal liver enzyme values as the disease progressed. Studies have shown a higher prevalence of hepatic impairment in patients with severe COVID-19. This study was designed to assess the variation of liver function test in COVID-19 patients and their relation to the severity of the illness. The secondary outcome of the study was the length of hospital stay and mortality assessment. This study was conducted at Bahira town international hospital Lahore from September 1, 2020, to September1, 2021. A total of 169 participants were included in the cross-sectional study those who meet the inclusion criteria. In this study we assessed the records of 169diagnosed cases of COVID-19 Infection on RT-PCR, and data were analyzed. They were further divided into two groups. First with abnormal liver function tests (LFT) and second Group consisted of normal LFTs. Liver function tests including total bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, were recorded and liver dysfunction was labeled if any of the parameters were found to be elevated from the normal physiological range. A total of 236 COVID-19 individuals were examined during the one-year duration. Of those, 169 were found to be eligible, but 67 were disqualified because they had a history of hepatitis B and C or previous history of liver disease. The Abnormal liver function tests group included 81 participants whereas second group with normal LFTs had 88 participants. Patients with severe illnesses were more affected by liver malfunction than those with moderate illnesses. Patients with liver dysfunction required a longer stay in the hospital on average than patients with healthy livers did. Patients who had normal LFT at admission had a cure rate of 95.06%, while 4.94% of them passed away, whereas 18.18% of patients passed away in abnormal liver function test. Liver function derangement is frequent in individuals with severe COVID-19, and it can be brought on directly by a virus that damages the bile duct cells or indirectly by a cytokine storm and lead to increased mortality and length of hospital stay.