Observational Study
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021.
World J Clin Cases. Oct 16, 2021; 9(29): 8749-8762
Published online Oct 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i29.8749
Table 1 Comparison between patients with and without hepatitis C virus, n (%)
All patients (n = 1193)
Propensity score matched1 (n = 98)

No HCV (n = 1143)
HCV (n = 50)
P value
No HCV (n = 48)
HCV (n = 50)
P value
Age (yr)62 ± 1664 ± 90.40264 ± 1564 ± 90.803
Gender (female)456 (39.90)14 (28.00)0.09220 (41.67)14 (28.00)0.155
Body mass index (kg/m2)30 ± 727.7 ± 8.50.02627.9 ± 6.828 ± 90.917
Hypertension703 (61.50)31 (62.00)0.94433 (68.75)31 (62.00)0.483
Diabetes mellitus) 530 (46.37)17 (34.00)0.08617 (35.42)17 (34.00)0.883
Human immune-deficiency virus 58 (05.07)21 (42.00)< 0.00117 (35.42)21 (42.00)0.504
Asthma144 (12.60)10 (20.00)< 0.0019 (18.75)10 (20.00)0.612
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease105 (09.19)14 (28.00)< 0.0019 (18.75)14 (28.00)0.280
Hepatitis B infection1 (00.09)3 (06.00)< 0.0010 (00.00)3 (06.00)0.085
Congestive heart failure 105 (09.19)12 (24.00)0.00110 (20.83)12 (24.00)0.707
Coronary artery disease119 (10.41)6 (12.00)0.7206 (12.50)6 (12.00)0.940
Chronic kidney disease89 (07.79)9 (18.00)0.015 (10.42)9 (18.00)0.284
End stage renal disease77 (06.74)5 (10.00)0.3722 (04.17)5 (10.00)0.262
Fever753 (65.88)31 (62.00)0.52526 (54.17)31 (62.00)0.585
Cough771 (67.45)24 (48.00)0.00327 (56.25)24 (48.00)0.294
Shortness of breath787 (68.85)40 (80.00)0.11034 (70.83)40 (80.00)0.478
Myalgia 352 (30.80)11 (22.00)0.17519 (39.58)11 (22.00)0.04
Chest discomfort144 (12.60)5 (10.00)0.5723 (06.25)5 (10.00)0.538
Atypical symptoms 392 (34.30)19 (38.00)0.61120 (41.67)19 (38.00)0.585
Symptom onset to hospitalization (d)5.85 ± 5.563.79 ± 4.040.0346.2 ± 5.73.8 ± 4.040.053
Length of hospital stay (d)8.05 ± 7.056.2 ± 4.30.0727 ± 5.798026.2 ± 4.30.454
Hemoglobin 13.0 ± 2.212.2 ± 2.70.02112.5 ± 2.112.2 ± 2.70.598
Total white count 8.6 ± 6.69.8 ± 13.10.2447.78 ± 3.59.8 ± 13.10.300
Platelets 221.7 ± 103.3183 ± 73.50.015234.4 ± 100183 ± 730.007
Neutrophilic count 6.8 ± 4.056.1 ± 3.80.2246.3 ± 3.46.1 ± 3.80.780
Lymphocyte count 1.18 ± 4.862.86 ± 12.30.0370.99 ± 0.522.86 ± 12.30.302
D-dimer 3115 ± 99972270 ± 53830.5826883 ± 280172270 ± 53830.293
Lactate dehydrogenase 581 ± 393623 ± 3910.477523 ± 419623 ± 3910.248
High sensitivity C-reactive protein143 ± 11398 ± 760.013129 ± 8998 ± 750.095
Ferritin1148 ± 15741265 ± 20980.6471053 ± 12671265 ± 20980.576
Lactate2.3 ± 1.92.7 ± 2.60.2652.07 ± 1.32.7 ± 2.60.189
Prothrombin time (s) 14 ± 10.713.4 ± 2.50.71613.6 ± 2.313.4 ± 2.40.700
Activated partial thromboplastin time (s)32.2 ± 7.932.7 ± 6.30.6731.4 ± 5.432.7 ± 6.30.317
Creatinine1.9 ± 2.63.3 ± 3.5< 0.0012.01 ± 2.43.3 ± 3.50.039
Alanine transaminase 43.7 ± 66.453.2 ± 121.70.38640.8 ± 37.553.2 ± 121.70.538
Aspartate transaminase 68.6 ± 90.8128.1 ± 367.20.00159.8 ± 43.5128.2 ± 3670.246
Alkalaine phosphatase 94.2 ± 86.4111.5 ± 1430.22482.3 ± 40.7111.5 ± 1430.217
Total bilirubin 0.6 ± 0.70.8 ± 0.860.1110.54 ± 0.410.8 ± 0.90.087
Combined bilirubin 0.27 ± 0.450.45 ± 0.680.020.26 ± 0.280.45 ± 0.680.115
Total protein 6.98 ± 0.837.2 ± 0.980.1636.91 ± 0.727.2 ± 0.980.175
Albumin 3.59 ± 0.553.44 ± 0.560.0893.6 ± 0.53.4 ± 0.60.209
Procalcitonin2.34 ± 9.47.27 ± 21.40.023.08 ± 8.87.3 ± 21.40.453
Hydroxychloroquine878 (76.82)36 (72.00)0.71133 (68.75)36 (72.00)0.725
Azithromycin839 (73.40)32 (64.00)0.30335 (72.92)32 (64.00)0.343
Tocilizumab 78 (06.82)0 (00.00)0.1494 (08.33)0 (00.00)0.054
Mechanical ventilation449 (39.28)29 (58.00)0.0034 (08.33)29 (58.00)< 0.001
Death 386 (33.77)28 (56.00)0.0047 (14.58)28 (56.00)< 0.001
Table 2 Cox regression model for all patients and hepatitis C virus patients for prediction of mortality
All patients (n = 1193)
Propensity score matched (n = 98)
Univariate
Multivariate
Univariate
Multivariate

Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Sig.
Age (yr)1.028< 0.0011.029< 0.0011.0220.183--
Gender (female)0.675< 0.0010.8650.420.4880.050.7140.110
Body mass index (kg/m2)0.9910.184--1.0140.514--
Hypertension1.611< 0.0010.8430.3862.870.00420.051
Diabetes mellitus1.3940.0011.2080.2771.060.864--
Human immune-deficiency virus 1.797< 0.0011.2510.4921.920.064--
Asthma0.8640.341--1.390.357--
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease1.4350.0131.0430.8791.2220.591--
Hepatitis B infection1.9840.237--1.040.962--
HCV2.224< 0.0012.4350.0413.880.0013.460.004
Congestive heart failure 1.40.021.2490.3561.2530.545--
Coronary artery disease1.3870.0231.0920.7341.050.923--
End stage renal disease1.2080.305--1.0130.983--
Chronic kidney disease1.4370.0161.1880.5351.0240.957--
Hemoglobin 0.9660.123--0.9250.337--
Total white count 1.0060.376--1.0040.736--
Platelets 0.998< 0.0010.9990.4380.9990.525--
Neutrophilic count 1.0230.0280.9910.6581.0720.145--
Lymphocyte count 0.9930.64110.1631.0000.976--
D-dimer 1< 0.0011.001 < 0.0011.0000.09--
Lactate dehydrogenase 1.001< 0.0011.0010.3741.0000.714--
High sensitivity C-reactive protein1.002< 0.00110.5530.9990.788--
Ferritin10.0021.0530.0281.0000.902--
Prothrombin time (s) 1.0010.89--1.10.281--
Activated partial thromboplastin time (s)0.9980.804--0.9660.281--
Creatinine1.072< 0.001--1.080.91--
Alanine transaminase 0.9990.325--0.9980.371--
Aspartate transaminase 10.391--0.9990.402--
Alkalaine phosphatase 0.9990.222--0.2750.995--
Total bilirubin 1.1310.0021.0260.9251.160.475--
Combined bilirubin 1.327< 0.0011.0910.7331.170.510--
Total protein 0.9320.235--0.8920.560--
Albumin 0.681< 0.0010.9330.6780.6130.114--
Procalcitonin1.014< 0.0011.0010.7931.0080.544--
Table 3 Comparison between liver enzymes, acute liver injury, chronic liver disease, and fibrosis score between patients with and without hepatitis C virus, n (%)
All (n = 1065)ALI patients (n = 1065)
Propensity score matched (n = 81)

No HCV (n = 1014)
HCV (n = 41)
P value
No HCV (n = 40)
HCV (n = 41)
P value
AST/ALT1.88 ± 1.51.86 ± 1.52.4 ± 1.30.0231.8 ± 0.882.4 ± 1.270.015
Any liver enzyme elevated639 (60)610 (60)29 (71)0.17425 (63)29 (71)0.423
Normal liver enzymes416 (39)311 (31)10 (24)0.24215 (38)10 (24)0.223
Only ALT elevated6 (1)6 (1)0 (0)0 (0)0 (0)
Only AST elevated 432 (41)409 (40)23 (56)15 (38)2356
Both elevated 201 (19)195 (19)6 (15)10 (25)6 (15)
AST > ALT423 (40)399 (39)20 (49)0.3940.394
All AST > ALT633 (59)604 (60)29 (71)0.15325 (63)29 (71)0.423
Fatty liver 50 (5)48 (5)2 (5)0.9311 (3)2 (5)0.582
History of cirrhosis6 (1)5 (1)1 (2)0.2282 (5)1 ()0.534
Fib-4 score 3.43 ± 5.53.47 ± 5.63.1 ± 3.60.6423.4 ± 2.253.1 ± 3.60.249
ALI1107 (10)100 (10)7 (17)0.1283 (8)7 (17)0.166
Table 4 Comparison between Liver enzymes, acute liver injury, and fibrosis score between patients with and without hepatitis C virus for prediction of mortality, n (%)
ALl patients (n = 1065)
Propensity score matched (n = 81)
Univariate
Multivariate
Univariate
Multivariate

Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Sig.
Sig.
AST/ALT1.1< 0.0011.06< 0.0011.2040.221--
Any liver enzyme elevated1.4270.0020.0010.8231.2040.624--
All AST > ALT1.4550.0010.0010.8521.2040.624--
History of cirrhosis1.3680.659--1.950.513--
ALI11.4180.0151.0450.7921.1320.817--
Fib-4 score 1.02< 0.0011.022< 0.0011.10.0421.10.08
HCV2.224< 0.0012.15< 0.0013.880.0013.750.002
Table 5 Subgroup comparisons and cox-regression predictors of outcomes for a subset composed of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus and propensity score matched patients without hepatitis C virus, n (%)
Propensity score matched (n = 72)
Comparison between groups
Cox-regression analysis
Univariate
Multivariate
NO HCV (n = 48)
HCV with viral load (n = 24)
P value
Exp (B)
Sig.
Exp (B)
Sig.
Age (yr)64.4 ± 15.164.4 ± 9.80.9951.0210.293--
Gender (female)28 (58)17 (71)0.3020.4810.088--
Body mass index (kg/m2)27.9 ± 6.826.0 ± 6.20.2521.0140.625--
Hypertension33 (69)16 (67)0.8583.030.0142.550.035
Diabetes mellitus17 (35)7 (29)0.5961.050.902--
Human immune-deficiency virus 17 (35)9 (38)0.8621.790.185--
Asthma9 (19)4 (17)0.8281.810.251--
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease9 (19)5 (21)0.8331.3860.483--
Hepatitis B infection1 (0.2)0 (0)0.4761.040.976--
HCV0 (0)24 (100)-3.470.0073.20.014
Congestive heart failure 10 (21)5 (21)1.0001.410.448--
Coronary artery disease6 (13)2 (8)0.5961.120.845--
End stage renal disease2 (0.4)1 (4)1.0001.650.628--
Chronic kidney disease5 (10)6 (25)0.1051.10.875--
Hemoglobin 12.5 ± 2.111.7 ± 2.60.1660.9210.424--
Total white count 7.8 ± 3.512 ± 17.90.1221.0060.618--
Platelets 234.4 ± 100.3185 ± 86.20.0511.0000.978--
Neutrophilic count 6.27 ± 3.46.24 ± 4.30.9811.110.056--
Lymphocyte count 0.99 ± 0.54.62 ± 17.00.1451.0020.897--
D-dimer 6883 ± 280171154 ± 18070.3331.0000.054--
Lactate dehydrogenase 523 ± 419649 ± 4840.2731.0000.898--
High sensitivity C-reactive protein129 ± 90113 ± 890.5180.9990.751--
Ferritin1053 ± 12671373 ± 27750.5331.0000.661--
Prothrombin time (s) 13.6 ± 2.313.5 ± 2.50.8201.050.636--
Activated partial thromboplastin time (s)31.4 ± 5.432.9 ± 7.280.3650.9350.138--
Creatinine2.01 ± 2.43.2 ± 4.0.1321.060.315--
Alanine transaminase 40.8 ± 37.562.1 ± 169.80.4480.9980.427--
Aspartate transaminase 59.8 ± 43.5169.8 ± 518.60.1850.9990.433--
Alkaline phosphatase 82.3 ± 40.7114.5 ± 165.70.2460.9960.376--
Total bilirubin 0.54 ± 0.40.93 ± 1.10.051.2360.336--
Combined bilirubin 0.26 ± 0.280.58 ± 0.90.051.2230.428--
Total protein 6.91 ± 0.727.0 ± 0.950.6180.8130.380--
Albumin 3.6 ± 0.513.3 ± 0.520.0730.5090.079--
Procalcitonin3.1 ± 8.84.6 ± 11.70.6950.9840.538--
Hydroxychloroquine33 (69)18 (75)0.582----
Azithromycin35 (73)13 (54)0.112----
Tocilizumab 4 (8)0 (0)0.146----
Mechanical ventilation4 (8)15 (63)< 0.001----
Death 7 (15)15 (63)< 0.001----