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Gastrointestinal Bleeding, but Not Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Is Associated With Worse Outcomes in COVID-19

Hongxin Chen1,2,3, Zhenhua Tong1,4, Zhuang Ma1,5,6

  • 1COVID-19 Study Group, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, China.

Frontiers in Medicine
|November 1, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in COVID-19 patients and linked to worse outcomes. GI bleeding specifically predicts severe disease and death, highlighting its importance in patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The prevalence and impact of GI symptoms on COVID-19 patient outcomes are not fully understood.
  • Understanding these associations is crucial for managing COVID-19 patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
  • To investigate the association between GI symptoms and disease severity and outcomes.
  • To identify specific GI symptoms that predict adverse outcomes in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 2,552 COVID-19 patients admitted to Wuhan Huoshenshan hospital was analyzed.
  • Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of GI symptoms.
  • Logistic regression models were used to assess the association of GI symptoms with a composite endpoint (ICU transfer, mechanical ventilation, death) and mortality.

Main Results:

  • GI symptoms were present in 21.0% of COVID-19 patients, with diarrhea being the most common.
  • Patients with GI symptoms exhibited higher rates of severe COVID-19 and poorer outcomes.
  • GI bleeding was identified as an independent predictor of the composite endpoint and death, unlike other GI symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Gastrointestinal symptoms are a significant feature in COVID-19 patients.
  • GI bleeding is a critical indicator of severe disease and mortality in COVID-19.
  • Early identification and management of GI bleeding may improve outcomes for COVID-19 patients.

Keywords:
coronavirus disease 2019gastrointestinal symptomsoutcomesprevalencesevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

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