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NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS AS RISK FACTOR FOR POOR PROGNOSIS OF COVID-19: AN UPDATE OF POTENTIAL MECHANISMS AND TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS

OVIDIU PAUL CALAPOD, ANDREEA MARIA MARIN, LAURA CARINA TRIBUS *, CARMEN FIERBINŢEANU-BRATICEVICI

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In the global context of COVID-19 outbreak, scientific efforts have been directed to investigate the risk factors associated with the development of severe illness. Emerging evidence linked the metabolic syndrome to more severe forms of the disease. The majority of the patients with these risk factors develop hepatic injury, particularly those previously diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease, affecting a quarter of the population worldwide. While type II diabetes mellitus is linked to a higher severity of COVID-19, it has not been established whether patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease are prone to worse outcomes. To have a closer look at the consequences of this association, we have systematically searched the latest updates and studies to assess the connection between NAFLD and the severity of COVID-19, as well as the treatment considerations.