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)