Published online Mar 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i7.2063
Peer-review started: April 1, 2021
First decision: July 3, 2021
Revised: July 17, 2021
Accepted: February 9, 2022
Article in press: February 9, 2022
Published online: March 6, 2022
Processing time: 334 Days and 10.6 Hours
Fever and cough are the most common clinical symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but complications (such as pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome, and multiorgan failure) can occur in people with additional comorbidities. COVID-19 may be a new cause of liver disease, as liver profile disturbance is one of the most common findings among patients. The molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, however, is still unknown. In this paper, we review the most current research on the patterns of change in liver profile among patients with COVID-19, the possible explanation for these findings, and the relation to pre-existing liver disease in these patients.
Core tip: Disturbance in the liver profile caused by coronavirus disease 2019 is not a rare event. However, this disturbance is usually mild and has a hepatocellular rather than a cholestatic pattern. It can affect a large number of patients, especially those with a more serious disease course.