Abstract
Object: Our aim is to evaluate the elevation of pancreatic enzymes in
COVID-19 patients and their relationship with severity of COVID-19.
Method: In this study, 1378 patients with COVID-19 infection were
included. Relation of elevated amylase and lipase levels and co-morbid
conditions with the severity of COVID-19 were checked. The effect of
hemodynamic parameters and organ failures on pancreatic enzymes and
their relations with prognosis were statistically analyzed. Results:
There were 678 (%49,2) female patients and 700 (50,8%) male patients.
Of all patients, 687 (49,9%) had mild, 691 (50,1%) severe COVID-19
infections. Elevated amylase levels were detected in 23% of patients
(n:316). 19% (261) of them had a slight (1-3 times) increase in amylase
levels, while 4% (55) had a more than 3 times increase in amylase than
normal. Only 6% of patients with elevated amylase leves had the acute
pancreatitis according to Atlanta criteria. According to univariate and
multivariate analyses, elevated amylase levels was found statistically
related with severity of COVID-19 (OR:4,37-p <0,001). And also
diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR:1,82-p:0,001), kidney failure (OR:5,18-
p< 0,001), liver damage (OR:6,63 p < 0,001),
hypotension (OR:6,86-p< 0,001), sepsis (OR:6,20-p:0.008) were
found to related to death of COVID-19. Conclusions: Elevated pancreatic
enzyme levels in COVID-19 infections is to related to severity of
COVID-19 infection and hemodynamic instability. Similar to other organs,
the pancreas can be affected by severe COVID-19 infection.