Liver Damage and COVID-19: At Least a "Two-Hit" Story in Systematic Review

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic waves have hit on our lives with pulmonary and, also, gastrointestinal symptoms. The latter also includes acute liver damage linked to direct SARS-CoV-2 action and/or drug-induced (DILI) in the frame of pre-existing chronic liver disease. We aimed to review literature data regarding liver damage during COVID-19. We conducted a systematic search on the main medical databases for original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials and case series using the following keywords and acronyms and their associations: liver disease, COVID-19, acute liver damage, drug-induced liver injury, antivirals. Acute liver damage due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is common among COVID-19 patients and is generally self-limiting. However, chronic hepatic diseases, such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), are associated with a less favorable prognosis, especially when alkaline phosphatases show a significant rise. Pathophysiology of COVID-19 liver damage is multifaceted and helps understand differences in liver derangement among patients. Thus, early recognition, monitoring and treatment of liver damage are crucial in these patients. In the frame of a not-ending pandemic sustained by SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to recognize acute hepatic decompensation due to the virus and/or drugs used for COVID-19 treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; acute liver damage; antivirals; drug-induced liver injury; liver disease.

Figure 1

Scheme of record selection according to PRISMA guidelines.

Figure 2

Pathophysiological mechanisms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) liver injury. Legend: DILI, drug-induced liver injury; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. A special section is due to drug-induced liver damage (DILI) during COVID-19 treatment.