Department of Gastroenterology, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Research Article
A Clinical Audit of the Rate of Hospital Presentations for Decompensated Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis and its Complications, before, Early and in the Endemic Covid-19 Period in Townsville University Hospital
Author(s): C. Saji*, Z. Azhar, R. Karamatic and G. Mahy
Background: COVID-19 shook the foundations of society, with governments taking swift and strict
actions to limit social interactions. This unpredictable and volatile landscape led to a sharp increase in
alcohol use and binge drinking, posing the question, what effect did COVID have on decompensated
alcoholic liver Cirrhosis, specifically in a Townsville context?
Method: This project was designed as a clinical audit that investigated the trends in rates of
presentation of alcohol associated decompensated liver disease before (March 2019-March 2020),
early (March 2020-March 2021) and in the endemic (March 2021-March 2022) COVID phases in
Townsville University Hospital (TUH). In particular, data pertaining to Child-Pugh and MELD
scores, along with precipitants of decompensation, length of stay and clinical complications were
.. View More»