Patterns of Hepatobiliary Pathologies and Their Relationship with Markers of Inflammation in COVID-19 Patients

Background: Altered hepatobiliary status has been reported in association with COVID-19 which linked, limited evidence, to the exaggerated COVID-19-induced hyper-inflammatory response. Hence, current study evaluated hepatocellular and its indicators of inflammation among patients. Methods: This was conducted RT-PCR-confirmed treatment-naïve patients Port Harcourt, South-south Nigeria. Pre-medical/surgical data were retrieved retrospectively from archived patients’ case notes, medical review charts, nurses’ vital signs/medication sheets, laboratory records at center using validated acquisition templates. All analyzed standard protocols. Results: Among 396 studied, 16.7% (n=66) had pathologies. The majority those pathologies severe (93.3%). Patients concurrent mostly males older age. Cholestatic-specific pathology most common pattern observed general cases having specific mild, moderate, COVID-19. COVID-19, significant positive relationships between markers (Proclacitonin/C-reactive protein/D-dimer) cholestatic-specific (ALP/G-GT/TBil/CBil) (p<0.05), but not hepatocellular-specific (ALT/AST) (p>0.05). In contrast, no relationship existed relevant all cholestatic/hepatocellular mild moderate Conclusion: Hepatobiliary pathologies, cholestatic patterns, are frequent studied associated inflammatory disease. Therefore, evaluation should be prioritized, especially