ABSTRACT
Purpose: Infections in cirrhotic patients are associated with an increased risk of liverrelated complications (LRC) and mortality. Limited data regarding the prevalence of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in cirrhotic patients' awaiting liver transplantation (LT) are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Sars-cov2 in a cohort of cirrhotic patients and its impact on LRC rate and on LT. Methods: We retrospectively included 187 waitlist patients for LT from 24-January-2020 (2020-cohort) and 123 patients from 24-January-2019 (2019-cohort). All 2020-cohort patients were screened for COVID-19 symptoms with a survey. COVID-19 infection was defined by a positive PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab or the positivity for specific antibodies or typical lung lesions on CT scan. We also assessed the indirect impact of Sars-Cov2 infection on LRC and LT rate, estimated by competitive risk survival analyses in 2020-cohort vs. 2019-cohort (Fine and Gray method). Results: In 2020-cohort, 72.7% (n=136) of patients were male with mean age of 55.5±12, 47.2% (n=85) patients have alcohol and/or NASH related cirrhosis, with a median MELD score of 14.1±7.4. 45.5% (n=71), 38.5% (n=60) and 14.8% (n=23) of patients were A, B and C for Child-Pugh-score, respectively. 172 patients responded to survey and 22% (n= 38) had symptoms. 20/38 patients were tested for Sars-Cov2 and 4 patients were positive. 3/4 patients with COVID-19 disease needed hospitalization and 1 intensive care support. No death was reported and 1 patient was LT. The 2020-cohort and 2019-cohort were comparable for sex (p=0,6), age (p=0.7), comorbidities (p=0.2) and Child-Pugh-score (p=0.2). The cumulative incidence of LRC was not significantly higher in the 2020-cohort vs. 2019-cohort (SHR 0.65, 95% CI 0.36-1.15, p=0.138). The cumulative incidence of LT was significantly lower in the 2020-cohort than in the 2019-cohort (SHR0.21, 95% CI 0.13-0.33, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our study reported a low prevalence rate of Sars-Cov2 infection in a cohort of cirrhotic patients waiting for LT. No Sars-Cov2 infection direct or indirect impact on mortality and LRC rate was reported. However, a significant shortage of LT was found in 2020 cohort.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Notwithstanding the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, information on its clinical presentation and prognosis in organ transplant recipients remains limited. The aim of this registry-based observational study was to report the characteristics and clinical outcomes of liver transplant (LT) recipients included in the French nationwide Registry of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients with Covid-19. METHODS: COVID-19 was diagnosed in patients who had a positive PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2 or in presence of typical lung lesions on imaging or specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Clinical and laboratory characteristics, management of immunosuppression, treatment for Covid-19, and clinical outcomes (hospitalization, admission to intensive care unit, mechanical ventilation, or death) were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 67 were admitted to hospital and 37 were managed at home (including all 13 children). Hospitalized patients had a median age of 65.2 years (IQR: 58.1â¯-â¯73.2 years) and two thirds were men. Most common comorbidities included overweight (67.3%), hypertension (61.2%), diabetes (50.7%), cardiovascular disease (20.9%) and respiratory disease (16.4%). SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified after a median of 92.8 months (IQR: 40.1â¯-â¯194.7 months) from LT. During hospitalization, antimetabolites, mTOR inhibitor, and CNIs were withdrawn in 41.9%, 30.0% and 12.5% of patients, respectively. The composite endpoint of severe Covid-19 within 30 days after diagnosis was reached by 33.0% of the adult patients. The 30-day mortality rate was 20.0%, and 28.1% for hospitalized patients. Multivariate analysis identified that age was independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: In our large nationwide study, Covid-19 in LT recipients was associated with a high mortality rate.