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Metabolic associated fatty liver disease increases the severity of COVID-19: A meta-analysis

Lu Pan1, Pan Huang2, Xia Xie3

  • 1Department of Critical Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, No. 3002, Sungang west Road, Futian District, Shenzhen, China.

Digestive and Liver Disease : Official Journal of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver
|October 4, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is common in COVID-19 patients and significantly increases their risk of severe illness. Enhanced monitoring and care are crucial for these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • The relationship between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) progression remains unclear.
  • MAFLD is increasingly recognized as a significant comorbidity.
  • Understanding this association is vital for managing COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a meta-analysis exploring the association between MAFLD and COVID-19 severity.
  • To quantify the risk of severe COVID-19 in patients with MAFLD.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline (OVID), and MedRxiv up to July 6, 2020.
  • Quality assessment of 6 included studies (1,293 participants) using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.
  • Pooled analysis performed using Stata 14.0.

Main Results:

  • A pooled prevalence of MAFLD among COVID-19 patients was 0.31 (95% CI 0.28–0.35).
  • MAFLD was associated with a significantly increased risk of COVID-19 disease severity (pooled OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.87–4.60).

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of COVID-19 patients exhibit MAFLD.
  • MAFLD is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
  • MAFLD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 require heightened intensive care and monitoring.
Keywords:
COVID-19Metabolic associated fatty liver diseaseSARS-CoV-2

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