Pancreatic damage in COVID-19: Why? How?

Object: We aimed to evaluate the elevation of amylase and lipase enzymes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and their relationship with the severity of COVID-19.

Method: In this study, 1378 patients with COVID-19 infection were included. Relation of elevated amylase and lipase levels and comorbidities with the severity of COVID-19 was analysed. The effects of haemodynamic parameters and organ failure on pancreatic enzymes and their relations with prognosis were statistically analysed.

Results: The 1378 patients comprised of 700 (51.8%) men and 678 (%49.2) women. Of all patients, 687 (49.9%) had mild and 691 (50.1%) patients had severe COVID-19 infection. Amylase elevation at different levels occurred in 316 (%23) out of 1378 patients. In these patients, the amylase levels increased one to three times in 261 and three times in 55 patients. Pancreatitis was detected in only six (%1.89) of these patients according to the Atlanta criteria. According to univariate and multivariate analyses, elevated amylase levels were significantly associated with the severity of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR]: 4.37; P < .001). Moreover, diabetes mellitus (DM; OR: 1.82; P = .001), kidney failure (OR: 5.18; P < .001), liver damage (OR: 6.63; P < .001), hypotension (OR: 6.86; P < .001) and sepsis (OR: 6.20; P = .008) were found to be associated with mortality from COVID-19.

Conclusion: Elevated pancreatic enzyme levels in COVID-19 infections are related to the severity of COVID-19 infection and haemodynamic instability. In a similar way to other organs, the pancreas can be affected by severe COVID-19 infection.