Published online Nov 27, 2022. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v14.i11.1953
Peer-review started: October 1, 2022
First decision: October 17, 2022
Revised: October 25, 2022
Accepted: November 21, 2022
Article in press: November 21, 2022
Published online: November 27, 2022
Data on liver test abnormalities in asymptomatic and mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are rare.
This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients with abnormal liver test results.
We aimed to determine the liver test abnormalities in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients and their association with the viral shedding time, providing suggestions for health policymakers and medical practitioners.
Clinical information and viral shedding time were collected retrospectively from 661 laboratory-confirmed asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed in statistical analyses.
Elevated alanine aminotransferase was associated with obesity and a history of liver disease. Elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) was correlated with a history of liver disease age over 30 years. There was a correlation between AST ≥ 2× the upper limit of normal and a longer vital shedding time.
Obesity and a history of liver disease are risk factors for liver test abnormalities. Liver test abnormality in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients has clinical correlation with the viral shedding time.
Attention should be given to liver tests in asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients, which has crucial clinical significance for evaluating the viral shedding time.