COVID-19 and related gastrointestinal symptoms: An observational study

Abstract

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic has infected the entire world and causes obsolete morbidity and mortality. While respiratory symptoms are the most frequently reported, several recent studies revealed that gastrointestinal symptoms are not uncommon. Our aim in this observational study is to reveal the gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 patients.

Patients and Methods: Data of COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded and retrospectively analyzed during their hospital follow-up period. 82 patients participated in the study and later on had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Gender, age, systemic and gastrointestinal complaints, medical and surgical disease history, laboratory results, thorax computer tomography (CT) findings, and characteristics of gastrointestinal system (GIS) symptoms of patients were also recorded. Data were analyzed by statistical software.

Results: The most common typical symptoms of COVID-19 patients were cough, anosmia, debility, and shortness of breath. Further, most of the gastrointestinal symptoms found in COVID-19 patients were nonspecific abdominal pain. Lymphopenia and elevated liver transaminases were the most common findings of the tests. Patients with diarrhea indicated watery diarrhea. Two patients also had ileus, they healed spontaneously without surgical intervention. Furthermore, all patients were discharged without any problems.

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms are typical in COVID-19 patients. However, these symptoms do not seem to have a detrimental effect on the progression of the disease. In our study group, there was no need for surgical intervention, but COVID-19 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms should be treated by a multidisciplinary approach. 

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Gastrointestinal symptom
• Diarrhea
• Intestinal obstruction

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