Pancreatic damage in COVID-19: Why? How?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect multiple organs.
• Pancreatic enzyme elevation has been observed in some COVID-19 patients, but its clinical significance requires further evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of elevated amylase and lipase in COVID-19 patients.
• To investigate the association between pancreatic enzyme levels and COVID-19 severity.
• To explore the relationship between hemodynamic parameters, organ failure, pancreatic enzymes, and prognosis in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 1378 COVID-19 patients was analyzed.
• Statistical analyses were performed to correlate elevated amylase and lipase levels with COVID-19 severity and comorbidities.
• The impact of hemodynamic parameters and organ failure on pancreatic enzymes and prognosis was assessed.

Main Results:

• Amylase elevation occurred in 23% of COVID-19 patients, with pancreatitis detected in only 1.89%.
• Elevated amylase levels were significantly associated with severe COVID-19 (OR: 4.37, P < .001).
• Diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, liver damage, hypotension, and sepsis were linked to COVID-19 mortality.

Conclusions:

• Elevated pancreatic enzyme levels in COVID-19 are linked to infection severity and hemodynamic instability.
• The pancreas is susceptible to damage in severe COVID-19 cases, similar to other organs.