COVID-TX GENDER

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Current literature diverges on the impact of COVID-19 in Liver Transplant recipients, and no studies have yet directly focused on the gender differences within the presentation of COVID-19 in LT recipients. This study seeks to report the impact of COVID-19 in LT recipients, focusing on the gender differences encountered in disease presentation and progression in this population. METHODS This study was a multicentric historical cohort. Patient records were submitted by an online questionnaire. The primary endpoint was COVID-related death. We also collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data regarding presentation and disease progression. RESULTS We included 283 patients in the study, of which 76 were female, and 207 were male. The median follow-up time was 99 days (IQR 38,283) for males and 126 (IQR = 44-291) days for females. There was a greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease in males (p=0.002). Females frequently displayed a lost sense of smell (p=0.021), and males had the fever (p=0.031). Median ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were significantly higher in males (p =0.008 and 0.004, respectively). There was a tendency for increased mortality in males, and this trend did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study to approach gender differences between COVID-19 infection in LT recipients, notably in symptoms at presentation and liver function tests. Our results suggest a comprehensive and individualised treatment of this patient population and for further understanding of the disease presentation in these patients.