Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 and cirrhosis or liver transplant in a Brazilian quaternary center

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.

 

AUTORES

Tulio L CORREA, Mariana Sandoval Terra Campos GUELLI and Ricardo Tavares de CARVALHO*