Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic liver dysfunction in the new coronavirus infection COVID-19

Our study aimed to explore associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic liver dysfunction influence on the severity of the new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Material and methods. The study design was a cross-sectional study. The research included 215 patients (39.50 % of men) aged 26–60 years who had undergone a new coronavirus infection COVID-19 at least two months ago. Participants were divided into three groups by severity of infection: mild (n = 99), moderate and severe (n = 116) by anamnesis. Hepatic steatosis index (HIS), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, glucose and triglyceride content, systolic and diastolic pressure were calculated and abdominal ultrasound examination was done. Results. In the group with moderate and severe course of COVID-19, the proportion of patients diagnosed with NAFLD
according to the HSI index was significantly higher compared to patients with mild coronavirus infection. Patients with mild COVID-19, who were diagnosed with NAFLD, had higher alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, glucose and triglyceride content, BMI, systolic and diastolic pressure, waist circumference compared to patients without NAFLD. Similar differences persisted for patients with moderate and severe course. With the step-by-step exclusion of cardiometabolic parameters from the logistic regression model, the triglyceride content and BMI retained association with steatohepatosis according to ultrasound data, regardless of severity. When creating a similar model for the HSI index, significant correlation was shown for alanine aminotransferase activity in patients with mild COVID-19, for alanine aminotransferase activity and BMI – in patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. Conclusions. Patients with NAFLD have a more severe course of COVID-19. In addition, associations of the severity of COVID-19 with a combination of NAFLD and other cardiometabolic changes in the body, such as arterial hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, were revealed.

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