Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Liver Function in Patients Up to 20 Months of Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study

Version 1 : Received: 6 February 2023 / Approved: 8 February 2023 / Online: 8 February 2023 (10:47:25 CET)

How to cite: Lima, I.C.D.; Menezes, D.C.D.; Uesugi, J.H.E.; Bichara, C.N.C.; Vasconcelos, P.F.D.C.; Quaresma, J.A.S.; Falcão, L.F.M. Liver Function in Patients Up to 20 Months of Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study. Preprints 2023, 2023020145. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0145.v1 Lima, I.C.D.; Menezes, D.C.D.; Uesugi, J.H.E.; Bichara, C.N.C.; Vasconcelos, P.F.D.C.; Quaresma, J.A.S.; Falcão, L.F.M. Liver Function in Patients Up to 20 Months of Long COVID: A Cross-Sectional Study. Preprints 2023, 2023020145. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0145.v1

Abstract

The long-term laboratory aspects of the effects of COVID-19 on liver function are still not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the hepatic clinical-laboratory profile of patients with up to 20 months of long-term COVID-19. A total of 243 patients of both sexes aged 18 years or older hospitalised in the acute phase of COVID-19 were included in this study. Liver function analysis was performed. Changes were identified in the mean levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and ferritin. Inflammatory markers such as ferritin > 300 U/L were observed in the group that presented more changes in liver function markers (ALT, AST, and GGT). Age ≥ 60 years, male sex, AST > 25 U/L, and GGT ≥ 50 or 32 U/L were associated with ALT > 29 U/L. There was a correlation between ALT and AST, LDH, GGT, and ferritin. Our findings suggest that ALT and AST levels may be elevated in patients with long-term COVID, especially in those hospitalised in the acute phase. In addition, ALT > 29 U/L was associated with other markers of liver injury, such as LDH, GGT, and ferritin.

Keywords

COVID-19; post COVID; liver; aspartate aminotransferase; risk factors

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Virology

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