COVID-19 and MAFLD/NAFLD: An updated review

Ali Nowroozi; Sara Momtazmanesh; Nima Rezaei

doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1126491

COVID-19 and MAFLD/NAFLD: An updated review

Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar 24:10:1126491. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1126491. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Ali Nowroozi^{1

2}, Sara Momtazmanesh^{1

2

3}, Nima Rezaei^{1

2

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
³ Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and places a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. As we further shed light on different disease characteristics, we identify more and more groups of people at higher risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) (previously non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD) is a common metabolic disorder characterized by fat accumulation and liver fibrosis. Given its close correlation with metabolic syndrome, an established risk factor for severe COVID-19, it is necessary to investigate its interplay with the novel coronavirus. In this study, we review the available data on COVID-19 prognosis, treatment and prevention options in patients with MAFLD, and the effect that the disease and the pandemic have on MAFLD care. Furthermore, we point out the gaps in the current literature to accentuate the work that needs to be done to improve MAFLD care during the pandemic and beyond.

Keywords: COVID-19; MAFLD (metabolic associated fatty liver disease); NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease); NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis); SARS-CoV-2; metabolic syndome; vaccine.

Publication types

Review