Data taken from seven large scale studies in China show that 2-11% of patients with COVID-19 had liver comorbidities. Chronic liver diseases such as chronic viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affect 300 million people in China. Given that liver injury is more prevalent in severe cases of COVID-19, it is essential that more research is done focusing on liver disease and the treatment and outcome of COVID-19. 

Liver Comorbidities in COVID-19 Patients in China

University of Texas at Austin

Smith College

- By country
- Liver Transplantation
- Chronic Liver Disease

Liver Injuries as a Comorbidity of COVID-19 

Zhang, C., Shi, L., &amp; Wang, F. (2020). Liver injury in COVID-19: Management and challenges. The Lancet Gastroenterology &amp; Hepatology, 5(5), 428-430. doi:10.1016/s2468-1253(20)30057-1
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(20)30057-1/fulltext

Liver injury in COVID-19: management and challenges

Liver Injuries in COVID-19 Patients by Country 

- Hypertension: 10.9% 

- Cardiovascular Disease (other than hypertension): 2.7% 

- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: 1.8%

- Chronic Liver Disease: 1.8% 

Comorbidities of Healthcare Workers with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China

It was originally thought that patients with liver transplants could experience more severe consequences of a COVID-19 infection due to other comorbidities and patients' intake of immunosuppressants. The results of an international registry study show that patients with liver transplants did not have an increased risk of mortality, but rather those who are of old age, male sex, have high serum creatinine concentration, or existing diseases did tend to have a higher risk of COVID-19 related mortality.

Liver Transplant and COVID-19 Study

There have been limited studies for patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), including cirrhosis, Hep B, Hep C and chronic non alcoholic liver disease, in determining the risk associated with COVID-19. Further effects of age, race and gender have also not been studied as it pertains to CLD. What is known, however is that the coronavirus can damage the liver and higher mortality rates have been associated with CLD. Furthermore, people with CLD often have abnormal immune function, systemic inflammation, and/or other COVID-19 comorbidities causing an overlap of risk factors. 

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