CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH SEVERE COVID-19 AND CIRRHOSIS OR LIVER TRANSPLANT IN A BRAZILIAN QUATERNARY CENTER

Características e desfechos clínicos de pacientes com COVID-19 grave e cirrose ou transplante de fígado em um centro quaternário brasileiro

HIGHLIGHTS

•Specific associations between liver cirrhosis and liver transplant with poorer outcomes in COVID-19 are still not clear.

•We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and cirrhosis or liver transplant.

•Patients with liver cirrhosis had more endotracheal intubation and a higher risk of death than liver transplant recipients.

•Patients with higher MELD- Na scores had increased death rates and lower survival probability and survival time.

ABSTRACT

Background:

Specific associations between liver cirrhosis and liver transplant with poorer outcomes in COVID-19 are still not completely clear.

Objective:

We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 and cirrhosis or liver transplant in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Methods:

A retrospective observational study was conducted in a quaternary hospital. Patients with COVID-19 and liver cirrhosis or liver transplant were selected. The clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as the outcomes, were assessed using electronic records.

Results:

A total of 46 patients with COVID-19 and liver condition were included in the study. Patients with liver cirrhosis had significantly more endotracheal intubation and a higher relative risk of death than liver transplant recipients. Patients with higher MELD-Na scores had increased death rates and lower survival probability and survival time.

Conclusion:

Patients with liver cirrhosis, especially those with higher MELD-Na scores, had poorer outcomes in COVID-19. Liver transplant recipients do not seem to be linked to poorer COVID-19 outcomes.

Keywords:
COVID-19; pandemics; liver cirrhosis; liver transplantation; outcome research