Effect of Lockdown During COVID 19 Pandemic on Liver Disease and Metabolic Parameters.

Aim and Objective -

• Primary objective: Change in liver stiffness measured by fibroscan before and after implementation of lockdown in patients of liver disease without COVID-19 infection.
• Secondary objectives: Change in liver fat content measured by fibroscan as Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) value, metabolic and laboratory parameters.

(b) Methodology: OPD records of all consecutive patients of liver disease without COVID-19 infection from the Institute database from 1st January 2020 attending the liver clinic till 31st December 2020 will be reviewed. Patients with atleast two OPD visits, with one before implementation of lockdown and the other during the lockdown phase will be analysed. Patients of liver disease without atleast 2 fibroscan examination (one before lockdown and the other after lockdown implementation) will be excluded. In patients having more than one lockdown OPD visit, the one done at later time will be taken into consideration.

• Study population: Patients of liver disease attending the OPD with one visit before implementation of lockdown and the other during the lockdown phase.
• Study design: Retrospective
• Study period: NA
• Monitoring and assessment: OPD records of patients fulfilling the inclusion / exclusion criteria will be analysed for liver stiffness and CAP using Fibroscan, body weight, body mass index (BMI), complete blood count (CBC), liver function tests (LFT), kidney function test (KFT), HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, post prandial blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Statistical Analysis: Baseline parametric data will be expressed as the proportion, mean± standard deviation and median with interquartile range. Categorical variables will be analyzed by chi squared test or Fisher exact test while the continuous variables will be analyzed using unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test as appropriate. Paired t-test will be used to compare the change before and after the intervention. The p value < 0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
• Adverse effects: NA
• Stopping rule of study: NA

Expected outcome of the project: Results of the study will be helpful in analyzing its impact on liver and metabolic health in liver disease patients. Importance of adequate compliance to the pharmacotherapy and healthy life style will be highlighted if result shows negative impact as the pandemic is still far from over.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients of liver disease attending the OPD.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients without atleast 2 fibroscan examination (one before lockdown and the other after lockdown implementation).
• Acute self-limiting hepatitis.
• Sick patients requiring hospital admission.