Outcome of COVID-19 in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis: an International Multi-Centre Study

Abstract

Background Data regarding outcome of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are lacking.

Patients and methods We performed a retrospective study on AIH patients with COVID‐19 from 34 centres in Europe and the Americas. We analyzed factors associated with severe COVID‐19 outcomes defined as the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care admission, and/or death. The outcomes of patients with AIH were compared to a propensity‐score matched cohort of non‐AIH patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) and COVID‐19. The frequency and clinical significance of new‐onset liver injury (alanine aminotransferase>2xupper limit of normal) during COVID‐19 was also evaluated.

Results We included 110 AIH patients (80%,female) with a median age of 49 (range:18–85) years at COVID‐19 diagnosis. New‐onset liver injury was observed in 37.1% (33/89) of the patients. Use of antivirals was associated with liver injury (p=0.041; odds ratio (OR) 3.36[1.05‐10.78]) while continued immunosuppression during COVID‐19 was associated with a lower rate of liver injury (p=0.009; OR 0.26[0.09‐0.71]). The rates of severe COVID‐19 (15.5% vs 20.2% p=0.231) and all‐cause mortality (10% vs 11.5%; p=0.852) were not different between AIH and non‐AIH CLD. Cirrhosis was an independent predictor of severe COVID‐19 in patients with AIH (p<0.001; OR 17.46[4.22‐72.13]). Continuation of immunosuppression or presence of liver injury during COVID‐19 was not associated with severe COVID‐19.

Conclusions This international, multi‐center study reveals that patients with AIH were not at risk for worse outcomes with COVID‐19 than other causes of CLD. Cirrhosis was the strongest predictor for severe COVID‐19 in AIH patients. Maintenance of immunosuppression during COVID‐19 was not associated with increased risk for severe COVID‐19, but did lower the risk for new‐onset liver injury during COVID‐19.