In non-survivors, the prealbumin, albumin, albumin-globin ratio, cholinesterase, high-density/non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A1 were below the normal reference range and significantly lower than that in survivors (P < 0.05), implying that a decline in liver synthesis function might be an important factor for COVID-19-associated death. The gene discussed is TTR; the disease is COVID-19.