Early Elevation of Fibrosis-4 Liver Fibrosis Score Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes Among Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Background. Limited prior data suggest that preexisting liver disease is associated with adverse outcomes among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) is a noninvasive index of readily available laboratory measurements that represents hepatic fibrosis. We evaluated the association between FIB-4 at the early stage of infection and COVID-19 outcomes. Methods. FIB-4 was evaluated at admission in a cohort of 267 patients admitted with early-stage COVID-19 confirmed through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. Hazard of ventilator use and of high-flow oxygen was estimated using Cox regression models controlled for covariates. Risks of progression to severe disease and of death/prolonged hospitalization were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results. Forty-one (15%) patients progressed to severe disease, 36 (14%) required high-flow oxygen support, 10 (4%) required mechanical ventilator support, and 1 died. FIB-4 between 1.45 and 3.25 was associated with a greater than 5-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-28) increased hazard of high-flow oxygen use, a greater than 4-fold (95% CI, 1.5-14.6) increased odds of progression to severe disease, and an over 3-fold (95% CI, 1.4-7.7) increased odds of death or prolonged hospitalization. FIB-4 >3.25 was associated with a greater than 12-fold (95% CI, 2.3-68. 7) increased hazard of high-flow oxygen use and an over 11-fold (95% CI, 3.1-45) increased risk of progression to severe disease. All associations were independent of sex, number of comorbidities, and inflammatory markers (D-dimer, C-reactive protein). Conclusions. FIB-4 at the early-stage of COVID-19 had an independent and dose-dependent association with adverse outcomes during hospitalization. FIB-4 provided significant prognostic value for estimating adverse outcomes among COVID-19 patients.

Automated summary

This study found that FIB-4 values during early-stage COVID-19 infection are independently and dose-dependently associated with adverse outcomes during hospitalization. Patients with FIB-4 values greater than 3.25 have a higher risk of high-flow oxygen use and progression to severe disease.