Fatty Liver and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: Health Behaviors, Social Factors, and Telemedicine Satisfaction in Vulnerable Populations

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted health-related behaviors that influence fatty liver disease (FLD) management. We evaluated the impact of the pandemic on FLD management and satisfaction with care delivery in this population. In the San Francisco safety-net hepatology clinics, we evaluated health-related behaviors and factors associated with self-reported weight gain during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as satisfaction with telemedicine in adults with FLD by using multivariable modeling. From June 1, 2020, to May 5, 2021, 111 participants were enrolled. Median age was 52 years, 30% were men, 63% were Hispanic, 21% were Asian/Pacific Islander, and 9% were White. Eating habits were unchanged or healthier for 80%, physical activity decreased in 51%, 34% reported weight gain, and 5% reported increased alcohol intake. Forty-five percent had severe depressive symptoms, 38% in those without diagnosed depression and 60% of individuals with heavy alcohol use. On multivariable analysis, decreased physical activity (odds ratio [OR], 4.8) and heavy alcohol use (OR, 3.4) were associated with weight gain (all P < 0.05). Among those with telemedicine visits (n = 66), 62% reported being very satisfied. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a 0.8-unit decrease in the telemedicine satisfaction score (P = 0.048) when adjusting for sex, age, and pandemic duration. Conclusion: During the pandemic, decreased physical activity and heavy alcohol use were most influential on self-reported weight gain in FLD. Maintenance of healthy eating and increased physical activity, alcohol cessation counseling, and mental health services are critical in preventing poor FLD-associated outcomes during the pandemic recovery. Dissatisfaction with telemedicine should be explored further to ensure equitable care, especially among the vulnerable Hispanic population.