Impact of Hepatic Dysfunction on Mortality among Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients: An Inhospital Observational Study

Background: In the modern-day pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic manifestations and associated comorbidities are recognized to have poor prognostication in patients with COVID-19. In our present study, we aim to study the frequency of GI manifestations and hepatic dysfunction and to assess for prognostication among hospitalized patients of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of hospitalized patients of COVID-19 in a tertiary teaching hospital in South India. Clinical data regarding their GI symptoms and hepatic dysfunction, associated comorbidities, severity of disease, and clinical outcome were recorded. Results: A total of 1006 patients were included in the study. Severe COVID-19 was seen in 23.3% of the patients, mortality rate of 14.5%. GI manifestations were seen in 17.7% of all, the most common being vomiting (7.1%) and abdominal pain (6.9%). Hepatic dysfunction is seen in 46.5% of COVID-19 patients, which was associated with severity and mortality. However, GI manifestations were not associated with severity and mortality. Conclusion: The occurrence of GI manifestations was common. Hepatic dysfunction was seen more frequently among COVID-19 patients and associated with severity and mortality.