P-1649. Impact of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on COVID-19 Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background The efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in managing cholestatic liver disease is well-established. UDCA inhibits the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), leading to the down-regulation of ACE2, a critical entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Despite this mechanism, the impact of UDCA on patients with COVID-19 remains controversial. This study aims to assess the association between UDCA administration and COVID-19-related mortality, hospitalization, and symptoms.Figure 1.Forest plot of studies comparing mortality between UDCA and Control groups Methods We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS), and all studies involving patients treated with UDCA and infected with COVID-19 were included. We utilized Review Manager (RevMan 5.4 for Windows) for statistical analysis. Results Nine observational studies published between 2023 and 2024, encompassing 30,066 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. We found no statistically significant differences between UDCA and non-UDCA groups regarding mortality (RR = 0.99; 95% CI [0.80, 1.23]; P = 0.94), or COVID-19-related hospitalization (RR = 0.98; 95% CI [0.89, 1.08]; P = 0.74). However, the UDCA group demonstrated significant improvements in COVID-19 symptoms, including cough (OR = 0.43; 95% CI [0.31, 0.60]; P < 0.00001), muscle or joint pain (OR = 0.70; 95% CI [0.51, 0.96]; P = 0.03), and pharyngalgia (OR = 0.28; 95% CI [0.09, 0.82]; P = 0.02). Conclusion Our results showed a limited role of UDCA in reducing mortality rates or COVID-19-related hospitalization. However, they provide insights into the efficacy of UDCA in managing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 as cough, muscle or joint pain, and pharyngalgia. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Journal
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Published
2026-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaf695.1824
Primary Topic
Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
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article
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article

P-1649. Impact of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on COVID-19 Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ayah Abdulgadir, Omar Elkoumi, Mohammed Gamal, Ahmed Elkoumi et al.
Open Forum Infectious Diseases
Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
article

P-1649. Impact of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on COVID-19 Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ayah Abdulgadir, Omar Elkoumi, Mohammed Gamal, Ahmed Elkoumi, Mariam Khaled Elbairy, Ahmad Beddor, Younes F. Samara, Ahmed L. Youseif, Abdullah Yousef Aldalati, Mohamed S Elgendy, Mohamed A Aldemerdash
article en

Abstract

Abstract Background The efficacy of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in managing cholestatic liver disease is well-established. UDCA inhibits the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), leading to the down-regulation of ACE2, a critical entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Despite this mechanism, the impact of UDCA on patients with COVID-19 remains controversial. This study aims to assess the association between UDCA administration and COVID-19-related mortality, hospitalization, and symptoms.Figure 1.Forest plot of studies comparing mortality between UDCA and Control groups Methods We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS), and all studies involving patients treated with UDCA and infected with COVID-19 were included. We utilized Review Manager (RevMan 5.4 for Windows) for statistical analysis. Results Nine observational studies published between 2023 and 2024, encompassing 30,066 patients, were included in the meta-analysis. We found no statistically significant differences between UDCA and non-UDCA groups regarding mortality (RR = 0.99; 95% CI [0.80, 1.23]; P = 0.94), or COVID-19-related hospitalization (RR = 0.98; 95% CI [0.89, 1.08]; P = 0.74). However, the UDCA group demonstrated significant improvements in COVID-19 symptoms, including cough (OR = 0.43; 95% CI [0.31, 0.60]; P < 0.00001), muscle or joint pain (OR = 0.70; 95% CI [0.51, 0.96]; P = 0.03), and pharyngalgia (OR = 0.28; 95% CI [0.09, 0.82]; P = 0.02). Conclusion Our results showed a limited role of UDCA in reducing mortality rates or COVID-19-related hospitalization. However, they provide insights into the efficacy of UDCA in managing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 as cough, muscle or joint pain, and pharyngalgia. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Open Forum Infectious DiseasesVol. 13(Supplement_1)
Beni-Suef University (EG), Damietta University (EG), Suez University (EG), University of Khartoum (SD), Zarqa University (JO), Jordan University of Science and Technology (JO), Hashemite University (JO), Tanta University (EG), Tanta University Hospital (EG), Egyptian Russian University (EG), Yarmouk University (JO), Sohag University (EG), Irbid National University (JO)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 92%
Drug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms
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