Horm Metab Res 2022; 54(08): 522-531
DOI: 10.1055/a-1834-9008
Review

Liver, NAFLD and COVID-19

Carlotta Hoffmann
1   University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, Department of Internal Medicine III, Dresden, Germany
,
Philipp A. Gerber
2   University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Claudia Cavelti-Weder
2   University Hospital Zurich (USZ) and University of Zurich (UZH), Switzerland, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Clinical Nutrition, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Louisa Licht
1   University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, Department of Internal Medicine III, Dresden, Germany
,
Reham Kotb
3   Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Rania Al Dweik
4   Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Department of Public Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Michele Cherfane
3   Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
,
Stefan R. Bornstein
1   University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, Department of Internal Medicine III, Dresden, Germany
,
Nikolaos Perakakis
1   University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, Department of Internal Medicine III, Dresden, Germany
5   University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID), Helmholtz Center Munich, Dresden, Germany
6   Neuherberg, German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
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Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a wide clinical spectrum that includes abnormalities in liver function indicative of liver damage. Conversely, people with liver diseases are at higher risk of severe COVID-19. In the current review, we summarize first the epidemiologic evidence describing the bidirectional relationship between COVID-19 and liver function/liver diseases. Additionally, we present the most frequent histologic findings as well as the most important direct and indirect mechanisms supporting a COVID-19 mediated liver injury. Furthermore, we focus on the most frequent liver disease in the general population, non-alcoholic or metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MAFLD), and describe how COVID-19 may affect NAFLD/MAFLD development and progression and conversely how NAFLD/MAFLD may further aggravate a COVID-19 infection. Finally, we present the long-term consequences of the pandemic on the development and management of NAFLD.



Publication History

Received: 17 March 2022

Accepted after revision: 25 April 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
25 April 2022

Article published online:
14 June 2022

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