Correlation analysis of coagulation dysfunction and liver damage in patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia: a single-center, retrospective, observational study

Abstract

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently breaking out worldwide. COVID-19 patients may have different degrees of coagulopathy, but the mechanism is not yet clear. We aimed to analyse the relationship between coagulation dysfunction and liver damage in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 74 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the First People’s Hospital of Yueyang from 1 January to 30 March 2020 was carried out. According to the coagulation function, 27 cases entered the coagulopathy group and 47 cases entered the control group. A case control study was conducted to analyse the correlation between the occurrence of coagulation dysfunction and liver damage in COVID-19 patients.

Results

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), markers of liver damage, were positively correlated with coagulopathy (p = 0.039, OR 2.960, 95% CI 1.055–8.304; and p = 0.028, OR 3.352, 95% CI 1.137–9.187). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), and total bilirubin (TBIL) were not statistically correlated with coagulopathy. According to the diagnosis and treatment plan, the included cases were classified into mild, moderate, severe, and critical. The results showed that the occurrence of coagulation dysfunction had no statistical correlation with the severity of COVID-19.

Conclusion

Coagulation dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 is closely related to liver damage. A longer course of the disease may cause a vicious circle of coagulopathy and liver damage. Clinicians need to closely monitor coagulation and liver function tests and to give prophylactic or supportive therapy when needed.

Keywords:

• Blood coagulation dysfunction
• COVID-19
• liver damage
• pneumonia
• SARS-CoV-2

Acknowledgements

We thank all patients and their families involved in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sai Chen

Sai Chen, MM, Department of Blood Transfusion, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Hanting Liu

Hanting Liu, MM, Department of Blood Transfusion, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Tie Li

Tie Li, MB, Department of Clinical Laboratory, the First People's Hospital of Yueyang, Yueyang, China.

Rong Huang

Rong Huang, MD, Department of Blood Transfusion, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.

Rong Gui

Rong Gui, MD, is a professor of Clinical Transfusion Immunology, Department of Blood Transfusion, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China

Junhua Zhang

Junhua Zhang, MD, Department of Blood Transfusion, the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.