Gut: Abnormal liver function check-ups at hospital are associated with a severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Patients with COVID-19 often report liver damage.
the clinical significance of liver damage associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet clear and a forward-looking study is needed on the effects of abnormal liver function examination (LFT) upon hospitalization.
recently, Gut, an authoritative journal in the field of digestive diseases, published a study that analyzed data on 217 patients with COVID-19 who had no liver disease in the past at LMU University Hospital to assess the correlation between LFT abnormalities and COVID-19 pathogenesies at the time of hospitalization.
course of serious illness is defined as death related to staying in an intensive care unit (ICU) or COVID-19.
58% of patients were admitted to hospital with LFT abnormalities, mainly manifested in the elevation of acetaminophen (AST) (42%), γ glutamine transaminase (GGT) (37%) and alanine transaminase (27%) (27%), and 33% of patients developed hypoglobinemia.
associated with elevated ALT and GGT and low albuminemia associated with a higher proportion of patients admitted to ICU therapy and mechanical aeration.
After adjusting for age, gender, and complications, AST or GGT abnormalities at the time of hospitalization are a very important independent risk factor for staying in the ICU (ratios (OR) of 46.22 and 38.8) and in the ICU and/or COVID-19-related death complex outcomes (OR 42.0 and 26.9).
, abnormal liver function (especially GGT and albumin) during hospitalization is associated with a severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection.