Impact of COVID-19 on pre-existing liver disease

Patients with chronic liver disease of any etiology who become infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been found to have a higher risk of mortality compared to those patients who do not have chronic liver disease. A literature review was conducted in the relationship between COVID 19 and preexistence of liver disease. The proportion of COVID-19 patients with abnormal liver function on admission ranged from 40 % to 75 % and the proportion with liver injury was close to 30%. Current studies show an important association between preexisting liver disease and COVID-19. The presence of cirrhosis is now an independent predictor of severity for COVID-19 and prolonged hospitalization in this group of patients. Patients with cirrhosis have a higher mortality rate, and this rate rises with increasing severity.