Frequency and outcomes of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Corona Virus Disease-19

• Published in: Indian journal of gastroenterology 2021-10, Vol.40 (5), p.502-511
• Main Authors: Rogers, Hayley K., Choi, WonSeok W., Gowda, Niraj, Nawal, Saadia, Gordon, Brittney, Onyilofor, Chinelo, Rogers, Callie M., Yamane, David, Borum, Marie L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; Diarrhea - epidemiology; Diarrhea - etiology; Gastroenterology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - epidemiology; Gastrointestinal Diseases - etiology; Hepatology; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original; Original Article; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 0254-8860; 0975-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s12664-021-01191-7

Objectives To characterize the frequency and association of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms with outcomes in patients with corona virus disease 2019  (COVID-19) admitted to the hospital. Methods Records were retrospectively collected from patients admitted to a tertiary care center in Washington, D.C., with confirmed COVID-19 from March 15, 2020  to July 15, 2020. After adjusting for clinical demographics and comorbidities, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results The most common  presenting symptoms of COVID-19 in patients that were admitted to the hospital were cough (38.4%), shortness of breath (37.5%), and fever (34.3%), followed by GI symptoms in 25.9% of patients. The most common GI symptom was diarrhea (12.8%) followed by nausea or vomiting (10.5%), decreased appetite (9.3%), and abdominal pain (3.8%). Patients with diarrhea were more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] 2.750; p = 0.006; confidence interval [CI] 1.329–5.688), be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (OR 2.242; p = 0.019; CI 1.139–4.413), and be intubated (OR 3.155; p = 0.002; CI 1.535–6.487). Additional outcomes analyzed were need for vasopressors, presence of shock, and acute kidney injury. Patients with  diarrhea  were 2.738 ( p = 0.007; CI 1.325–5.658), 2.467 ( p = 0.013; CI 1.209–5.035), and 2.694 ( p = 0.007; CI 1.305–5.561) times more likely to experience these outcomes, respectively. Conclusions Screening questions should be expanded to include common GI symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Health care providers should note whether their patient is presenting with diarrhea due to the potential implications on disease severity and outcomes.