ABSTRACT
Background: Patients with liver cirrhosis, due to immunological dysfunction, are at a significant risk for getting SARS-Cov-2 infection, which accounts for 1.2 million deaths annually around the world. Objective: To study impact of COVID-19 on morbidity and mortality among patients with compensated cirrhosis. Patients and Methods: Our prospective cohort study was done at Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, and Internal Medicine Department of Zagazig University Hospitals, this study was performed on 180 patients. The included patients are classified into two groups;ninety COVID-19-infected patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and ninety non-CLD patients with COVID. PCR, liver functions as well as pelvi-abdominal Ultrasound were done to all patients. Results: There is statistically significant difference between both groups regarding mortality. About 18% and 7% within CLD with COVID and non-CLD with COVID groups respectively died by the end. There is statistically significant relation between mortality among CLD patients with COVID and CRP and ESR levels (both were significantly lower among survivors). There is statistically significant relation between hepatic encephalopathy among CLD patients with COVID and ESR levels (both were significantly lower among those with hepatic encephalopathy). Conclusion: Both preexisting medical issues and those that arise during hospitalisation appear to have a significant impact on the mortality of COVID-19 patients. Hospitalized cirrhotic individuals whose survival rates have been studied for the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection can provide further additional details. © 2022, Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in Wuhan, China and spread around the world. Genomic analysis revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is phylogenetically related to severe acute respiratory syndrome-like (SARS-like) bat viruses, therefore bats could be the possible primary reservoir.The intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, however, the rapid human to human transfer has been confirmed widely. There is no clinically approved antiviral drug or vaccine available to be used against COVID-19. However, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been evaluated against COVID-19 in clinical trials, resulted in clinical recovery.The liver, the largest internal organ in the body, is essential in keeping the body functioning properly. It removes or neutralizes poisons from the blood, produces immune agents to control infection, and removes germs and bacteria from the blood. It makes proteins that regulate blood clotting and produces bile to help absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Several studies have shown a significant risk of mortality in patients with cirrhosis and in liver transplantation recipients.2, 3, 4 The severity of presentation and risk of mortality is more in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.5,6 COVID-19 had lead to a significant decrease in number of liver transplant surgeries being performed, which would lead to an increased wait list mortality in these patients.