association of covid-19 with hepatic injury prevalence and associated factors

Background: novel coronavirus disease 19 (covid-19) was reported by the who as a pandemic in march 2020. it was associated with liver injury in up to 50% of patients. this retrospective cohort study investigated the prevalence and associated factors of liver injury among covid-19 patients. methods: we include 2319 consecutive covid-19 patients from april 2020 to november 2020. liver function tests were performed at baseline, 24–48 h after admission, and before mortality/discharge.we compared saudis and non-saudis, in admission rate, serum alt level, morbidity, and mortality. serum alt was compared between sexes, admitted and non-admitted patients, and the deceased and survivors. results: men (1356; 58.5%) and non-saudis (1328; 57.3%) were predominant. the mean (sd) age was 41.67±18.3 years (18 - 100). onethird of the patientshadcomorbidities, and1022 (44.1%) required hospital admission. intensive care unit (icu) transferwas required in 185/1022 (18%). male and non-saudis were most likely to be transferred to the icu (p < 0.001). hepatocellular liver injury was found in 797 (34.4%) patients. male and admitted patients were more likely to have a hepatic injury (p = 0.001). the mortality rate among admitted patients was 17.8% (182/1022). mortality was associated with older age and hepatic injury (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). conclusions: covid-19 associated liver injury is common and it is associated with morbidity and mortality.