Frequency and correlation of gastrointestinal symptoms with outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency and correlation of GI manifestations with outcomes in hospitalized patients suffering from COVID-19. Study Design: Retrospective Cohort study. Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital, Gujrat. Period: April 1^st, 2020 to March 31^st, 2021. Material & Methods: Medical records were collected retrospectively from six hundred eighty eight COVID-19 patients having complete charts. Among them male were 364 (52.91%). Incomplete charts were excluded from the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used after adjusting for co-morbidities and clinical demographics. Results: Most of the patients with COVID-19 presented with cough (38.44%), dyspnea (37.53%), and fever (34.34%), while GI symptoms were noted in 25.92% of patients. Among them diarrhea was in 12.83%, nausea and vomiting in 10.53%, diminished hunger 9.32%, and abdominal discomfort 3.83%. Mortality, admission to ICU and need for intubation was more common among patients with diarrhea. (p = 0.006). Conclusion: Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are common in patients with COVID-19. Among them patients with diarrhea were more prone to admission to intensive care unit, intubation and death so patients with COVID-19 should be questioned for GI symptoms also. Medical professionals should know that diarrhea may be an indicator of severity of disease and its effect on prognosis of patient.