Hepatology Consultants Often Disagree on Etiology of Abnormal Liver Biochemistries in COVID-19 but Agree on Management

Link to article at PubMed

Dig Dis Sci. 2020 Jul 29. doi: 10.1007/s10620-020-06495-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with elevated liver biochemistries in approximately half of hospitalized patients, with many possible etiologies.

AIM: To assess agreement on the etiology of abnormal liver biochemistries and diagnostic recommendations in COVID-19.

METHODS: Twenty hepatology consultations were reviewed by three senior hepatologists who provided a differential diagnosis and diagnostic recommendations. Kappa agreement on the primary etiology was calculated.

RESULTS: Kappa agreement between hepatologists on the primary etiology of elevated liver biochemistries was 0.10 (p = 0.03). Agreement was greater around drug-induced liver injury 0.51 (p < 0.0001) and SARS-CoV-2-related liver injury 0.17 (p = 0.03). Serial liver biochemistries were recommended in all consultations over other evaluations.

CONCLUSION: In COVID-19, elevated liver biochemistries present a diagnostic challenge and can often be monitored conservatively.

PMID:32729013 | DOI:10.1007/s10620-020-06495-w

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