UDC 616.36-003.826-06-008.9:616.98:578.834.1
The combination of metabolic-associated liver disease starting with liver steatosis (MASLD) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the clinic has not been sufficiently studied. We reviewed the literature on the combination of COVID-19 and liver steatosis in the Pubmed database and assessed the frequency of its manifestations in patients with COVID-19-associated community-acquired pneumonia of clinical group III by examining 22 inpatients aged 54.7±2.1 years. It was found that liver steatosis can either be a background condition or occur as a result of COVID-19 due to hepatocyte damage by the virus, excessive activation of the systemic inflammatory response, hypoxia, coagulopathy, endotheliitis, cardiac right ventricular failure, and drug-induced liver damage. Adverse effects on hepatocytes of high doses of glucocorticosteroids, azithromycin and several antiviral drugs have been described, which may be aggravated by taking them in combination with NSAIDs. Background liver disease is also important, as COVID-19 has been described to activate the persistence of hepatitis B and C viruses, and treatment of COVID-19 with massive doses of corticosteroids may affect viral replication. According to their own observations, 68% of inpatients with COVID-19-associated community-acquired pneumonia of clinical group III of mature age were diagnosed with MASLD, which was manifested by a heterogeneous structure with increased echogenicity (100%) with clear, even liver contours and non-expanded bile ducts and normal choledochus; moderate increase in liver size (92%), loss of liver vascular pattern (23%). At the same time, normal liver function tests and lipid metabolism were observed, moderate hyperglycaemia and a more pronounced inflammatory syndrome were noted. However, the course of pneumonia was more severe with lower oxygen saturation.