Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2020;75:e1946.
Technological Innovation in Outpatient Assistance for Chronic Liver Disease and Liver Transplant Patients During the Coronavirus Disease Outbreak: A Method to Minimize Transmission
Suzane Kioko Ono
, Wellington Andraus
, Debora Raquel Benedita Terrabuio
, Vilson Cobello-Júnior
, Lilian Arai, Liliana Ducatti
, Luciana Bertocco de Paiva Haddad
, Luiz Augusto Carneiro D’Albuquerque
, Flair José Carrilho
DOI: 10.6061/clinics/2020/e1946
The rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic worldwide warrants a huge transformation in the health assistance system and patient care. Most countries affected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are in lockdown, with restrictions on the movement of people and in services to prevent rapid transmission that may consequently lead to a health system collapse. The disease is known to cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), especially in the elderly population and in patients with comorbidities.
Patients with chronic liver diseases can progress to liver cirrhosis and develop complications, such as ascites, pleural effusion, renal dysfunction, diabetes, and obesity (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Some of them who have undergone liver transplantation are in an immunosuppressed state and thus are prone to infections. Currently, we do not have substantial data on the effects of SARS coronavirus-2 in chronic liver disease and liver transplant patients, who are known to be at high risk for opportunistic infections. These patients have a severe illness or have recently been operated upon and need to attend their outpatient appointments (,).
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