Lipase Elevation in Patients With COVID-19
Julia McNabb‐Baltar, David X. Jin, Amit S. Grover, Walker D. Redd, Joyce Zhou, Kelly Hathorn, Thomas R. McCarty, Ahmad Najdat Bazarbashi, Lin Shen, Walter W. Chan
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Although coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with gastrointestinal manifestations, its effect on the pancreas remains unclear. We aimed to assess the frequency and characteristics of hyperlipasemia in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients across 6 US centers with COVID-19. RESULTS: Of 71 patients, 9 (12.1%) developed hyperlipasemia, with 2 (2.8%) greater than 3 times upper limit of normal. No patient developed acute pancreatitis. Hyperlipasemia was not associated with poor outcomes or symptoms. DISCUSSION: Although a mild elevation in serum lipase was observed in some patients with COVID-19, clinical acute pancreatitis was not seen.