Gastrointestinal symptoms portend a more serious COVID – Diseases

Gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with a more severe form of COVID-19 and a worse prognosis, two US research teams said, according to Reuters.

One team reviewed 38 previous studies involving more than 8,400 patients. The results showed that people with diarrhea were 63 percent more likely to develop severe COVID-19.

According to Dr. Subash Gimire of Garthry Robert Packer Hospital in Pennsylvania, these patients may have a higher viral load, causing the body to react more acutely, BTA reported.

The other team examined 921 patients. It found that about 22 percent with at least one gastroenterological symptom were admitted more frequently to a hospital and intensive care unit.

They found another symptom of severe COVID-19

The more gastrointestinal symptoms patients have, the more likely they are to be hospitalized, says Dr. Darbaz Adnan of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

He recommends that physicians evaluating the condition of COVID-19 patients keep in mind that gastrointestinal problems may indicate a significantly increased risk of worsening the condition.

Both studies were presented at the American College of Gastroenterologists annual virtual conference.