Clinical features of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a serious challenge for many comorbid patients, including those with pathology of the hepatobiliary tract. Risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection were older age, male gender, and the presence of concomitant diseases. Purpose of the study: To identify risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with NAFLD. Materials and methods: A retrospective and prospective analysis of 185 medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in infectious diseases hospitals in Moscow from June to August 2021 was carried out. Study results: Patients with NAFLD hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to the comparison group were older, had a higher comorbidity index, a high body mass index (BMI) and longer hospitalization. Analysis of laboratory parameters of ALT, AST, CRP, GGTP over time revealed a statistically significant connection between the parameters of cytolysis and inflammation and the need for emergency respiratory support (ventilation). Conclusion: Risk factors for severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients with NAFLD are older age, male gender, increased weight, high rates of cytolysis and inflammation upon admission and exceeding them on the 7th day of hospitalization, which requires additional measures of emergency therapy, respiratory support and, consequently, longer hospitalization.