COVID-19 in Individuals with Chronic Liver Diseases

Abstract

Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) were considered to be in peril during the initial stages of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Progression of the course of the pandemic, however indicated that risk of severe disease and mortality differed, based on the cause of the hepatic disease. Patients suffering from Alcoholic liver disease or liver cirrhosis were confirmed to be at an increased risk by numerous studies, while that was not the case for HBV affected individuals and liver transplant recipients. The grade of liver fibrosis seemed to be the decisive factor for the severity of Covid-19 infection in the case of HCV infected individuals. Results are conflicting in the case of patients with metabolic- associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and insufficient in those with autoimmune liver disease.