Association of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 illness.

Given the global health burden caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), there have been numerous studies aimed to understand its clinical course and to determine risk factors that may impact prognosis. Pre-existing medical conditions are linked with COVID-19 severity, particularly cardiometabolic diseases. Increasing evidence has also linked metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with severe COVID-19 illness.

Moving Forward: Gradual Return of Gastroenterology Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption of routine gastroenterology practice, which has resulted in the suspension of elective endoscopic procedures and outpatient consults. For the past months, the strategy was to mitigate infection risk for the healthcare team while still providing essential service to patients. Prolonged suspension of the outpatient clinics and endoscopy practice, however, is deemed unsustainable and could even be detrimental.