Year 2021 / Volume 113 / Number 11
Original
Mild AST elevation as an early sign of COVID-19 severity in a multicenter Madrid cohort

780-786

DOI: 10.17235/reed.2021.8007/2021

Carlos Fernández Carrillo, Christie Perelló, Elba Llop, Javier García-Samaniego, Miriam Romero, José María Mostaza, Luis Ibáñez, Rafael Bañares Cañizares, Federico Bighelli, Clara Usón Perón, Inmaculada Fernández Vázquez, Olga Hernández Castro, Antonio Lalueza, Agustín Albillos, Rosa Malo de Molina, Elena Múñez, Elena Jiménez Tejero, José Luis Calleja,

Abstract
Introduction: liver enzyme elevation has been reported in SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) in heterogeneous cohorts, mainly from China. Comprehensive reports from other countries are needed. In this study, we dissect the pattern, evolution, and predictive value of such abnormalities in a cohort from Madrid, Spain. Methods: a retrospective study with a prospective 14-day follow-up of 373 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in five Madrid hospitals, including 50 outpatients. A COVID-19 severe course was defined as the need for mechanical ventilation. Results: a total of 33.1 % of hospitalized patients showed baseline AST elevation and 28.5 % showed ALT elevation, compared with 12 % and 8 % of outpatients (p ≤ 0.001). Baseline AST, ALT and GGT levels correlated with LDH and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (r ≤ 0.598, p < 0.005). AST elevation was associated with other severity markers such as male sex, lymphopenia, and pneumonia on X-Ray (p < 0.05 for all). ALP and bilirubin levels were rarely increased. Patients with elevated baseline AST showed a progressive normalization of this enzyme and an increase in ALT and GGT levels. Patients with normal baseline AST showed a flattened evolution pattern with levels within the range. Patients with a severe course of COVID-19 more frequently showed elevated baseline AST than those with a milder evolution (54.2 % vs. 25.4 %, p < 0.001). Age, AST and CRP were independent risk factors for a severe course of COVID-19. Conclusion: mild liver enzyme elevation is associated with COVID-19 severity. Baseline AST is an independent predictor of severe COVID-19 course, and tends to normalize over time. ALT and GGT show a late elevation.
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Fernández Carrillo C, Perelló C, Llop E, García-Samaniego J, Romero M, Mostaza J, et all. Mild AST elevation as an early sign of COVID-19 severity in a multicenter Madrid cohort. 8007/2021


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Publication history

Received: 27/03/2021

Accepted: 03/05/2021

Online First: 05/05/2021

Published: 05/11/2021

Article revision time: 33 days

Article Online First time: 39 days

Article editing time: 223 days


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