Lipase Elevation in Patients With COVID-19

Julia McNabb-Baltar1,2, David X Jin1,2, Amit S Grover2,3

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy, Center for Pancreatic Disease, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Insights

Mild hyperlipasemia occurred in 12.1% of hospitalized coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients. However, no patients developed acute pancreatitis, suggesting COVID-19 does not significantly impact pancreatic function.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is known to cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • The impact of COVID-19 on pancreatic function is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency and characteristics of hyperlipasemia in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study.
  • Involved 71 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19 across 6 US centers.

Main Results:

  • Hyperlipasemia was observed in 9 (12.1%) patients.
  • Two patients (2.8%) had lipase levels greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal.
  • No patients developed acute pancreatitis; hyperlipasemia was not linked to adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Mild elevations in serum lipase were noted in some COVID-19 patients.
  • Clinical acute pancreatitis was not observed in this cohort.
Abstract

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