Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and COVID-19: An epidemic that begets pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic, affecting all the individuals across the planet. COVID-19 has gained significant attention due to its high prevalence among individuals with diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and can be associated with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The association of COVID-19 and NAFLD has also gained more attention because NAFLD is highly associated with the epidemic of obesity. NAFLD is a potential risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19, independent of metabolic syndrome. Importantly, it is not yet clear whether the epidemics of obesity and NAFLD have perpetuated the current pandemic of COVID-19. Further research is urgently needed to assess the following: (1) Whether NAFLD is a high risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection; (2) Whether NAFLD is associated with the severe form of COVID-19; and (3) Whether the presence of NAFLD can explain the racial variation in the morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This review summarizes the interactions between COVID-19 and NAFLD, mechanism of liver injury by COVID-19, and effect of lockdown due to COVID- 19 on patients with NAFLD.

Keywords: COVID-19; Diabetes; Fatty liver; Obesity; Pandemic.

Figure 1

Interwoven relationships between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, coronavirus disease 2019, interleukin-6, risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019, and effect of lockdown. The risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are infection, lung injury, liver fibrosis, and cardiac impairment. IL-6: Interleukin–6; NAFLD: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.