Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

We read the Comment by Chao Zhang and colleagues in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology on liver injury in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with great interest. Given that patients with decompensated cirrhosis have a higher risk of, and mortality from, infection, preventing infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in this patient population is a challenging task. We provide our experience of COVID-19 prevention in patients with decompensated cirrhosis in Wuhan, China.

111 patients with decompensated cirrhosis in the Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China, were included, after approval from the ethics committee of the hospital and provision of written informed consent from each patient or their representative. 82 patients were outpatients (previously hospitalised and discharged between July, 2018, and April, 2019) and 29 were inpatients (hospitalised between Jan 1, 2020, and Feb 4, 2020). All patients had been diagnosed with cirrhosis by abdominal CT scan, CT during arterial portography, or liver biopsy.

Between Jan 1, and Feb 3, 2020, messages relating to precautions to take against COVID-19, including protective measures aimed at preventing patient infections and precautions for cirrhotic complications (panel ), were sent to outpatients via WeChat every 3 days for a total of 12 times. Feedback from the patient was collected every day via WeChat. For inpatients, new precautionary procedures were implemented, including hospital staff training, health education for patients and their companions, new processes for diagnosis and treatment, emergency plans, and suggestions for discharging patients (panel). After 14 days, on Feb 18, 2020, a questionnaire was sent to all participants to investigate their symptoms and satisfaction with the messaging system.

Precautions sent to outpatients with decompensated cirrhosis via WeChat

Avoid visitors and parties

Avoid areas where severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has occurred and avoid individuals with fever

Reduce going out; wear a cap and a mask correctly if unavoidable, especially in places with a mobile population or high population density, or both

When returning home, remove your coat and hang it on the balcony or in a special area for ventilation; thoroughly wash your hands and face (including eyes, nostrils, and ears)

Wash your hands before and after meals for no less than 20 s

Open windows and ventilate your room twice a day for 15–30 min

Eat a light and balanced diet, and predominantly soft foods to reduce the risk of bleeding from oesophageal and gastric varices; eat alone

Face the challenge with equanimity and caution, exercise properly, and avoid catching a cold after exercise

Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and urine volume, especially for those taking non-selective β blockers as secondary prevention

Take medications on time, including antiviral drugs and non-selective beta β blockers

After endoscopic treatment of gastro-oesophageal varices, continue to take oral proton pump inhibitors for 2 months

Intervals between re-examinations can be extended if necessary

Purchase necessary medications online or offline after contacting your doctor on WeChat

If you have any questions, or you are not feeling well, please contact your doctor on WeChat

Measures taken for inpatients with decompensated cirrhosis

Training about COVID-19 provided for health-care workers

Each patient was taken care of by one attending doctor and one nurse

Rounds changed from three times a day to once a day, except for severely ill patients

Communication between patients and medical staff should be done online

Hospital staff advised to carry out strict hand hygiene and disinfection

One room for each patient, or use of isolation curtain in bigger rooms

Air to be disinfected three times per day by medical electrostatic adsorption air steriliser

Central air-conditioning system shut down

Doors to be closed, except for normal medical work; windows opened regularly for ventilation

Patients and their companions provided training on how to use surgical masks properly

Only one companion allowed for critical patients; no companions allowed for non-critical patients

Establish a clean area and buffer zone in the ward

Patients and their companions not permitted to leave the ward; if unavoidable, disposable surgical caps and masks were to be worn, and hands washed on return

Invasive examinations to be avoided; mandatory protection and disinfection according to relevant regulations if necessary

After stabilisation, patients were encouraged to be discharged and to receive online follow-up

Establish an emergency plan for when patients with cirrhosis are confirmed or suspected to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, including: a rapid reporting system; building multidisciplinary teams that include specialists in gastroenterology, hepatology, interventional therapy, endoscopy, infection, and intensive care; rapid transfer channel; and a quarantine observation system for close contacts

Of the 111 patients, the mean age was 58·7 years (SD 10·7) (appendix pp 1–2), most of whom came from Wuhan, the city hardest hit by the outbreak (appendix p 3). One patient died after 19 days in hospital because of multiple organ failure.

At follow-up, none of our participants had clinical symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection. By contrast, five (2%) of 250 patients without cirrhosis and six (16%) of 38 health-care workers were diagnosed with COVID-19 by casual testing in our ward. Several outpatients complained about mild gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, which were resolved by rest, proton pump inhibitors, and probiotics (appendix p 2).

As an additional comparator, we calculated the incidence of COVID-19 among 101 inpatients with decompensated cirrhosis at five other hospitals in Wuhan over the same period, where our approach had not been implemented. 17 (17%) of these 101 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 (p=0·018 vs our group; appendix p 4). This simple approach could be an effective means of preventing COVID-19 in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. However, our sample size is small and larger studies are needed.