Evaluating acute and post-acute COVID-19 symptoms among patients with and without alcohol-related cirrhosis: implications for quality management

Patient-reported symptoms following COVID-19 exposure have been understudied in cirrhosis. This study evaluated type, severity, and persistence of symptoms along with impact on quality of life (QOL) post-SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort with and without alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Patients with cirrhosis receiving care in hepatology clinics at three institutions were surveyed for symptoms and liver disease QOL (LDQOL) using standardized instruments following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Acute (<30 days), post-acute (≥30 days since onset), and Long COVID (≥3 months) symptoms were compared by cirrhosis etiology and decompensated status. Associations between severe COVID-19 symptoms and LDQOL were examined using multivariable models.

156 patients with prior COVID-19 exposure had a median age of 66.5 years; 18% were female; 43% had alcohol-related liver disease (ALD); and 42% decompensated cirrhosis. Among 208 surveys conducted, the median (Q1, Q3) number of symptoms reported was 6 (3, 10), with 66% reporting at least one severe/very severe symptom and 21% had Long COVID. There were no significant differences in symptoms by cirrhosis etiology or decompensation except those with ALD had higher post-acute symptoms compared to non-ALD (RR 2.17, P = .04). Moreover, the total number of severe symptoms was inversely associated with LDQOL. For each additional severe symptom reported, LDQOL decreased by 1.12 points after adjusting for age, sex, ALD, decompensated cirrhosis, and MELD-Na score (95% CI -1.70 to -0.53, P = .001).

Assessing severity and persistence of post-COVID-19 exposure symptoms can help clinicians address patient-reported QOL concerns, optimize cirrhosis management, and inform integrated care for ALD and AUD.