간질환 환자에서 COVID-19 대처방안

Pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused many changes in the healthcare system and patients with preexisting advanced liver disease, notably cirrhosis, are associated with a severe course and a high mortality rate of COVID-19. In patients with liver disease, the underlying liver disease severity is closely related to the prognosis, so appropriate management of liver disease will be one of the most important strategies to protect the patient from COVID-19 infection that may occur in the future. The approach to patient care should be individualized and flexible according to the type and severity of patient’s underlying liver disease, the prevalence of COVID-19, and availability of medical resource. If possible, standard of care for patients with liver disease should be resumed. In addition, it is necessary to predict and prepare for the wave of liver disease yet to come after the COVID-19 pandemic. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2021;77:156-159)