Association of ABO blood types and clinical variables with COVID-19 infection severity in Libya

Objective

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic is a coronavirus-related health emergency (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Inadequate efforts are still being made to address the illness situation in Libya, and this must change. To address these issues, we looked into the demography and trend of the disease as well as the potential risk factors for infection.

Methods

This study is a retrospective case-control study conducted online among 616 COVID-19 patients. The p_0.05 value, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated and analyzed from the drawn data.

Results

Males were at high risk of COVID-19 than females (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.042-1.622; p = 0.02). Anosmia and ageusia were more prominent in females. Patients with an "AB" blood group are significantly susceptible to infection. Adults (31 and above) are highly liable to infection. The univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking is a risk factor for those above 60 years (odds ratio = 2.228, 95% confidence interval: 1.145-4.336; p = 0.018). Individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes and/or hypertension are more prone to COVID-19 (odds ratio = 10.045, 95% confidence interval: 3.078-32.794; p = 0.000 and odds ratio = 11.508, 95% confidence interval: 3.930-33.695; p = 0.000, respectively).

Conclusion

This study provided for the first time the demographic data and the trend of COVID-19 infection in Libya, which will assist the stakeholders and governmental bodies in planning protection strategies against the pandemic.

COVID-19-Induced Hepatic Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background The current pandemic of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global health challenge. Pulmonary dysfunction is the main outcome of COVID-19 infection. In critically ill patients, however, liver complications have also been reported. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to draw generalized conclusions regarding impaired liver biochemistry and its potential relationship with COVID-19 disease severity. Materials and Methods We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for all the related literature published up to June 20, 2020. The data were analyzed using R statistical software. A random-effects model was employed for pooling the data. The risk of bias and quality of included studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Results The present meta-analysis comprises 10 retrospective and two prospective studies (6,976 COVID-19 patients). The serum analysis revealed significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferases and aspartate aminotransferases and significantly lower albumin levels. Moreover, insignificant increases in serum levels of total bilirubin were observed. Upon subgroup analysis of six studies (severe cases, n=131; non-severe cases, n=334) stratified on the basis of disease severity, we found that these abnormalities were relatively higher in severe cases of COVID-19 (albumin [weighted mean difference (WMD), 34.03 g/L; 95% CI, 27.42 to 40.63; p<0.0001; I2=96.83%); alanine transaminase (ALT) [WMD, 31.66 U/L; 95% CI, 25.07 to 38.25; p<0.0001; I2=55.64%]; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [WMD, 41.79 U/L; 95% CI, 32.85 to 50.72; p<0.0001; I2=51.43%]; total bilirubin [WMD, 9.97 μmol/L; 95% CI, 8.46 to 11.48; p<0.0001; I2=98%]) than in non-severe cases. Conclusion Deranged liver enzymes serve as prognostic factors to assess the severity of COVID-19. Liver markers should, therefore, be observed and monitored continuously.