Definitions
Abnormal Liver function tests (LFT’s) were defined as an elevation of at
least one of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT or bilirubin above the upper limit of
normal reference range of local laboratory 7. The
pattern of abnormal LFTs was defined as hepatocellular when patients
presented with predominantly raised ALT and AST; cholestatic when
patients showed predominantly raised ALP and GGT, and mixed when the
extent of AST/ALT and ALP/GGT was similar 8. COVID-19
severity of each patient was based on the most severe condition during
the entire course of the disease, with the clinical classification based
on the most recently adopted tentative 8th edition
protocol for diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19 patients, released by
the national health commission of China 9. The primary
outcome measure was defined as the composite endpoint of death or
requirement for mechanical ventilation during hospitalization.