MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this study, 1378 patients with COVID-19 infection between
March-December in 2020 in our hospital were included. Signs such as
fever, blood pressure, laboratory parameters, treatments, and co-morbid
conditions were followed-up during the hospitalization. Next to these
parameters, amylase and lipase levels were checked. Values above 105 U/l
for amylase and 65 IU/L for lipase were considered
high.6 Patients with pancreatitis were
diagnosed according to Atlanta criteria. 7
Additionally, pancreatic enzyme elevation in COVID-19 infection related
to the severity of disease was investigated. Patients were divided into
two groups mild and severe COVID-19 infection. Patients with fever,
headache, loss of taste and smell, generalized myalgia, and without
tachypnea (Oxygen saturation >%92) were considered a mild
infection. Patients on invasive or non-invasive respiratory support or
with deteriorated hemodynamic conditions were considered severe COVID-19
infection. 8
The causes of pancreatic enzyme elevation were questioned in patients
with mild and severe COVID-19 infection and patients who died and
recovered. The relation between elevated pancreatic enzymes and
metabolic parameters, hemodynamic findings, single and multiple organ
failures was examined. 9-10
Mean arterial pressure was used to measure the hypotension. Mean
arterial pressure between 60-110 mmHg as normal, below 60 mmHg as
hypotension, above 110 mmHg was evaluated as
hypertension.11
Liver damage was determined according to the EASL 2019 guidelines.12
(ALT ≥ 5 × ULN (Upper limit of normal) or ALP ≥ 2 ULN (In the absence of
known bone pathology) or ALT ≥ 3 ULN with simultaneous increase of total
bilirubin concentration ≥2 ULN). 12 Kidney
injury was determined according to RIFLE
criteria.13
This study was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and
permission was obtained from the hospital’s ethics committee. (Issue
number 611 dated 16.10.2020)