01 Nov COVID-19: GI Symptoms Predictive of Worse Course and Outcomes

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Adnan

Darbaz Adna​n, MBChB
Lab Research Assistant
Department of Internal Medicine – Section of Gastroenterology
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois 60612

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?

Response: – We have conducted a large study of over 1000 patients at a major COVID-19 response center in Chicago at Rush University Medical Center, to assess for the frequency of initial GI symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and evaluate whether these symptoms in adult COVID-19 positive could predict the disease course. Overall, 22.4% of our patients reported at least one GI symptom at the onset of their infection, with nausea/vomiting being the most common complaint. GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients were associated with worse outcomes.

 MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? 

Response: To our knowledge, this study is the first of its type and the largest US study to date to investigate the predictive value of GI symptoms. Our analysis suggests that presenting with GI symptoms were not only associated with an overall poorer COVID-19 course but were predictive of worse outcomes of higher admission rates to the hospital, ICU, and higher intubation rates after adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and all other clinical symptoms. Translation of these results to clinical practice may involve additional focus on screening for GI symptoms to help better risk stratify COVID-19 positive patients. 

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: ​- GI symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain) are common presenting symptoms of COVID-19. These results indicate that presenting with GI symptoms may place COVID-19 patients at a markedly higher risk of a worsened disease course from COVID-19.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?

Response: Mechanisms that could explain how GI involvement may affect the prognosis of COVID-19 disease course are unclear. Additional studies are needed to discover if GI involvement in COVID-19 patients lead to enhanced inflammatory profile that may lead do a more severe disease course and poor outcomes.

None of the authors have any potential conflicts related to the manuscript to disclose.

Citation:

Gastrointestinal Symptoms Predict the Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection

P2825 – Gastrointestinal Symptoms Predict the Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection

Last Modified: [last-modified] 

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Last Updated on November 1, 2020 by Marie Benz MD FAAD