Outcomes of Liver Transplant Recipients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Nationwide Analysis From the United States

Abstract

IntroductionCurrently available data regarding the impact of liver transplantation on the outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is conflicting. This study aims to compare the outcomes and resource utilization between patients with and without a history of liver transplant hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods and materialsThis is a retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample. All adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in the year 2020 were included. Mortality was the primary outcome, while endotracheal intubation, length of hospital stay, and total hospital charges were the secondary outcomes. ResultsOut of 1,050,720 adults admitted with COVID-19 as the primary diagnosis, 1,455 had a secondary diagnosis of liver transplant. Mortality was not significantly increased in transplant recipients (OR adjusted = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.46–1.03, P = 0.07). Intubation rates and total hospital charges did not differ significantly between liver transplant recipients and patients without a history of liver transplant receipt. LOS was shorter by a coefficient of almost two days in patients with a history of LT (P < 0.001). ConclusionLiver transplant recipients do not appear to be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and COVID-19 mortality.