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Abstract Details
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: Harmless companions or disease intensifier?
World J Gastroenterol. 2023 Jan 14;29(2):367-377. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i2.367.
2Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg 97080, Germany.
3Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Abstract
The pandemics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) coexist. Elevated liver function tests are frequent in COVID-19 and may influence liver damage in NAFLD, while preexisting liver damage from NAFLD may influence the course of COVID-19. However, the prognostic relevance of this interaction, though, is unclear. Obesity is a risk factor for the presence of NAFLD as well as a severe course of COVID-19. Cohort studies reveal conflicting results regarding the influence of NAFLD presence on COVID-19 illness severity. Striking molecular similarities of cytokine pathways in both diseases, including postacute sequelae of COVID-19, suggest common pathways for chronic low-activity inflammation. This review will summarize existing data regarding the interaction of both diseases and discuss possible mechanisms of the influence of one disease on the other.