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Michalak A, Lach T, Szczygieł K, Cichoż-Lach H. COVID-19, Possible Hepatic Pathways and Alcohol Abuse-What Do We Know up to 2023? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2212. [PMID: 38396888 PMCID: PMC10888568 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic period due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) revolutionized all possible areas of global health. Significant consequences were also related to diverse extrapulmonary manifestations of this pathology. The liver was found to be a relatively common organ, beyond the respiratory tract, affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Multiple studies revealed the essential role of chronic liver disease (CLD) in the general outcome of coronavirus infection. Present concerns in this field are related to the direct hepatic consequences caused by COVID-19 and pre-existing liver disorders as risk factors for the severe course of the infection. Which mechanism has a key role in this phenomenon-previously existing hepatic disorder or acute liver failure due to SARS-CoV-2-is still not fully clarified. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) constitutes another not fully elucidated context of coronavirus infection. Should the toxic effects of ethanol or already developed liver cirrhosis and its consequences be perceived as a causative or triggering factor of hepatic impairment in COVID-19 patients? In the face of these discrepancies, we decided to summarize the role of the liver in the whole picture of coronavirus infection, paying special attention to ALD and focusing on the pathological pathways related to COVID-19, ethanol toxicity and liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Michalak
- Department of Gastroenterology with Endoscopy Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Lach
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Karolina Szczygieł
- Clinical Dietetics Unit, Department of Bioanalytics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Halina Cichoż-Lach
- Department of Gastroenterology with Endoscopy Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-954 Lublin, Poland;
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Inayat F, Ali H, Patel P, Dhillon R, Afzal A, Rehman AU, Afzal MS, Zulfiqar L, Nawaz G, Goraya MHN, Subramanium S, Agrawal S, Satapathy SK. Association between alcohol-associated cirrhosis and inpatient complications among COVID-19 patients: A propensity-matched analysis from the United States. World J Virol 2023; 12:221-232. [PMID: 37970569 PMCID: PMC10642379 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v12.i4.221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) contributes to significant liver-related mortality in the United States. It is known to cause immune dysfunction and coagulation abnormalities. Patients with comorbid conditions like AC are at risk of worse clinical outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The specific association between AC and COVID-19 mortality remains inconclusive, given the lack of robust clinical evidence from prior studies. AIM To study the predictors of mortality and the outcomes of AC in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2020. Patients were identified with primary COVID-19 hospitalizations based on an underlying diagnosis of AC. A matched comparison cohort of COVID-19 patients without AC was identified after 1:N propensity score matching based on baseline sociodemographic characteristics and Elixhauser comorbidities. Primary outcomes included median length of stay, median inpatient charges, and in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included a prevalence of systemic complications. RESULTS A total of 1325 COVID-19 patients with AC were matched to 1135 patients without AC. There was no difference in median length of stay and hospital charges in COVID-19 patients with AC compared to non-AC (P > 0.05). There was an increased prevalence of septic shock (5.7% vs 4.1%), ventricular fibrillation/ventricular flutter (0.4% vs 0%), atrial fibrillation (13.2% vs 8.8%), atrial flutter (8.7% vs 4.4%), first-degree atrioventricular nodal block (0.8% vs 0%), upper extremity venous thromboembolism (1.5% vs 0%), and variceal bleeding (3.8% vs 0%) in the AC cohort compared to the non-AC cohort (P < 0.05). There was no difference in inpatient mortality in COVID-19 patients with non-AC compared to AC, with an odds ratio of 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-1.22, P = 0.85). Predictors of mortality included advanced age, cardiac arrhythmias, coagulopathy, protein-calorie malnutrition, fluid and electrolyte disorders, septic shock, and upper extremity venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSION AC does not increase mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. There is an increased association between inpatient complications among COVID-19 patients with AC compared to non-AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Inayat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54550, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Hassam Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Pratik Patel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Mather Hospital and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, United States
| | - Rubaid Dhillon
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
| | - Arslan Afzal
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Attiq Ur Rehman
- Department of Hepatology, Mercy Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States
| | - Muhammad Sohaib Afzal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health, Shreveport, LA 71103, United States
| | - Laraib Zulfiqar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Gul Nawaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore 54550, Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Subanandhini Subramanium
- Department of Internal Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, United States
| | - Saurabh Agrawal
- Department of Hepatology, Tampa General Medical Group and University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33606, United States
| | - Sanjaya K Satapathy
- Department of Hepatology, North Shore University Hospital and Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra University, Manhasset, NY 11030, United States
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Testino G, Pellicano R. COVID-19 and alcohol consumption: recommendations in the Omicron era. Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2023; 69:423-432. [PMID: 35511656 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.22.03194-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In the early stages of the pandemic, the first reports began that alcohol consumption could increase the risk of becoming infected and worsening the prognosis disease. This is for two reasons: behavioral and socio-economic factors that characterize a part of this population can be the cause of viral spread and a direct or indirect negative action of ethanol on the immune system. The data used for the preparation of these recommendations are based on a detailed analysis of the scientific literature published before March 31, 2022 (Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar). Furthermore, in the process of developing this work, we consulted the guidelines/position papers of the Italian Society on Alcohol and of the World Health Organization. It has been confirmed that AC is in COVID-19 era a risky behavior and that AUD and substance use disorder (SUD) patients are certainly at greater risk of contracting infection and also of having a worse course. In light of what has been said, some recommendations can be made: correctly inform the general population that AC negatively interacts with COVID-19 infection; reducing the COVID-19 risk by advocating healthy lifestyle habits (smoke, diet, physical exercise, etc.) and preferential policies in population with comorbidities; implement actions that reduce the average consumption of alcohol by avoiding hazardous/harmful consumption. Abstention is better; identify alcohol consumption through a more in-depth alcohol history, using the AUDIT; AUDs patients are frail patients deserving a complete vaccination course; suggest a period of alcoholic abstention of at least thirty days before vaccination to be maintained for the following fifteen days; promoting health education campaigns for young people in order to promote vaccination culture and correct lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Testino
- Unit of Addiction and Hepatology/Alcohological Regional Centre, ASL3 c/o San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, Genoa, Italy -
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Marano G, Traversi G, Gaetani E, Pola R, Claro AE, Mazza M. Alcohol use disorder and liver injury related to the COVID-19 pandemic. World J Hepatol 2022; 14:1875-1883. [PMID: 36340751 PMCID: PMC9627438 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i10.1875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder is a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon that can be studied from several points of view by focusing on its different components. Alcohol is a hepatotoxin whose metabolism creates profound alterations within the hepatocyte. The liver is the central organ in the metabolism of alcohol, a process that also involves other organs and tissues such as the brain, heart and muscles, but the most relevant organ is the liver. The anatomopathological alterations in the liver associated with the prolonged use of alcohol range from the simple accumulation of neutral fats in the hepatocytes, to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcohol abuse frequently leads to liver disease such as steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and tumors. Following the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), there was an increase in alcohol consumption, probably linked to the months of lockdown and smart working. It is known that social isolation leads to a considerable increase in stress, and it is also recognized that high levels of stress can result in an increase in alcohol intake. Cirrhotic patients or subjects with liver cancer are immunocompromised, so they may be more exposed to COVID-19 infection with a worse prognosis. This review focuses on the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the emergence of alcohol-induced liver damage a major medical and social problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Marano
- Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Gianandrea Traversi
- Dipartimento di Medicina di Laboratorio, UOSD Genetica Medica, Ospedale Generale “San Giovanni Calibita” Fatebenefratelli, Rome 00186, Italy
| | - Eleonora Gaetani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Roberto Pola
- Division of Internal Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Angelo Emilio Claro
- Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Marianna Mazza
- Department of Geriatrics, Neuroscience and Orthopedics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
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Barbara JM, Gatt J, Xuereb RA, Tabone Adami N, Darmanin J, Erasmi R, G Xuereb R, Barbara C, Stephen F, Jane Magri C. Clinical outcomes at medium-term follow-up of COVID-19. J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2022; 52:220-227. [PMCID: PMC9478632 DOI: 10.1177/14782715221124617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome is defined as persistent physical, cognitive and/or psychological symptoms that continue for more than 12 weeks following the acute illness. Methods: In all, 2,646 patients were randomly selected from all individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19. They were interviewed so as to assess the persistence of symptoms and health-related quality of life. Blood investigations were also taken. Results: The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 44 (31–55) years and 48.6% were males. Five per cent had been hospitalised. Follow-up was for a median of 142 days (IQR: 128–161). Twenty-two per cent of the participants claimed that they were feeling worse than they felt before COVID-19. The most common symptoms were anosmia, ageusia, fatigue, shortness of breath, headaches and myalgia. The Short Form-36 questionnaire revealed that 16.4% felt that they were somewhat worse than in the previous year and that hospitalised patients fared worse in all domains except for role-emotional. New-onset diabetes was similar to the rate of undiagnosed diabetes in the background population. Hospitalised patients had significantly higher liver transaminases, fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin, uric acid, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, triglyceride levels and troponin levels but lower estimated glomerular filtration rate and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol at follow-up. Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients were symptomatic at a median follow-up of 142 days and felt worse than 1 year previously. Hospitalised patients had more biochemical and haematological abnormalities compared to non-hospitalised ones, suggesting ongoing inflammation in subjects who were more severely affected by the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rachel-Anne Xuereb
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
| | | | | | | | - Robert G Xuereb
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
| | - Christopher Barbara
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
| | - Fava Stephen
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
| | - Caroline Jane Magri
- Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
- University of Malta Medical School, Msida, Malta
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Testino G, Pellicano R. SARS-CoV-2, autoimmunity and liver disease. Minerva Gastroenterol (Torino) 2022; 68:338-339. [PMID: 35144366 DOI: 10.23736/s2724-5985.22.03147-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gianni Testino
- Unit of Addiction and Hepatology, Alcohological Regional Center, ASL3, IRCCS San Martino University Hospital, Genoa, Italy -
| | - Rinaldo Pellicano
- Unit of Gastroenterology, Molinette-S. Giovanni Antica Sede Hospital, Turin, Italy
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Guarino M, Cossiga V, Capasso M, Mazzarelli C, Pelizzaro F, Sacco R, Russo FP, Vitale A, Trevisani F, Cabibbo G. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on the Management of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154475. [PMID: 35956091 PMCID: PMC9369221 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) significantly increases mortality and morbidity. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a considerable impact on healthcare systems all around the world, having a significant effect on planned patient activity and established care pathways, in order to meet the difficult task of the global pandemic. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are considered a particularly susceptible population and conceivably at increased risk for severe COVID-19 because of two combined risk factors: chronic advanced liver disease and HCC itself. In these challenging times, it is mandatory to reshape clinical practice in a prompt way to preserve the highest standards of patient care and safety. However, due to the stay-at-home measures instituted to stop the spread of COVID-19, HCC surveillance has incurred a dramatic drop, and care for HCC patients has been rearranged by refining the algorithm for HCC treatment to the COVID-19 pandemic, permitting these patients to be safely managed by identifying those most at risk of neoplastic disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Guarino
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Cossiga
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Mario Capasso
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (V.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Chiara Mazzarelli
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology Unit, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162 Milan, Italy;
| | - Filippo Pelizzaro
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (F.P.R.)
- Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sacco
- Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Policlinico Riuniti, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (F.P.R.)
- Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy;
| | - Franco Trevisani
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
- Unit of Semeiotics, Liver and Alcohol-Related Diseases, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cabibbo
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (ProMISE)-University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy;
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Liver Injury in COVID-19 Patients with Drugs as Causatives: A Systematic Review of 996 DILI Cases Published 2020/2021 Based on RUCAM as Causality Assessment Method. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094828. [PMID: 35563242 PMCID: PMC9100611 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) commonly show abnormalities of liver tests (LTs) of undetermined cause. Considering drugs as tentative culprits, the current systematic review searched for published COVID-19 cases with suspected drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and established diagnosis using the diagnostic algorithm of RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method). Data worldwide on DILI cases assessed by RUCAM in COVID-19 patients were sparse. A total of 6/200 reports with initially suspected 996 DILI cases in COVID-19 patients and using all RUCAM-based DILI cases allowed for a clear description of clinical features of RUCAM-based DILI cases among COVID-19 patients: (1) The updated RUCAM published in 2016 was equally often used as the original RUCAM of 1993, with both identifying DILI and other liver diseases as confounders; (2) RUCAM also worked well in patients treated with up to 18 drugs and provided for most DILI cases a probable or highly probable causality level for drugs; (3) DILI was preferentially caused by antiviral drugs given empirically due to their known therapeutic efficacy in other virus infections; (4) hepatocellular injury was more often reported than cholestatic or mixed injury; (5) maximum LT values were found for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 1.541 U/L and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 1.076 U/L; (6) the ALT/AST ratio was variable and ranged from 0.4 to 1.4; (7) the mean or median age of the COVID-19 patients with DILI ranged from 54.3 to 56 years; (8) the ratio of males to females was 1.8–3.4:1; (9) outcome was favorable for most patients, likely due to careful selection of the drugs and quick cessation of drug treatment with emerging DILI, but it was fatal in 19 patients; (10) countries reporting RUCAM-based DILI cases in COVID-19 patients included China, India, Japan, Montenegro, and Spain; (11) robust estimation of the percentage contribution of RUCAM-based DILI for the increased LTs in COVID-19 patients is outside of the current scope. In conclusion, RUCAM-based DILI with its clinical characteristics in COVID-19 patients and its classification as a confounding variable is now well defined, requiring a new correct description of COVID-19 features by removing DILI characteristics as confounders.
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