scholarly journals Gastroenterologists Reveal More Digestive Symptoms in COVID-19 Patients than Nongastroenterologists in Fever Clinic

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Yudong Jiang ◽  
Chaoqun Han ◽  
Tao Bai ◽  
Shengyan Zhang ◽  
Jun Song ◽  
...  

The incidence of digestive symptoms may vary depending on doctors’ professional backgrounds when they inquired suspected COVID-19 patients in a fever clinic. We sought to understand the characteristics of inquiries about digestive symptoms by doctors in different specialties; therefore, inquiry records of 2 gastroenterologists and 6 nongastroenterologists were reviewed. We compared the difference in inquiry of digestive symptoms (diarrhea, vomit, distension, anorexia, and abdominal pain) between these two groups among identified COVID-19 patients. And we further compared the difference of digestive symptoms between confirmed patients and suspected cases who excluded from COVID-19. Among 495 confirmed COVID-19 cases (254 cases by gastroenterologists and 241 cases by nongastroenterologists), 22.83% patients experienced various digestive symptoms in the gastroenterologists’ group, while only 4.47% reported digestive symptoms by nongastroenterologists ( p < 0.0001 ). Additionally, among initially suspected 611 patients who presented with similar respiratory symptoms inquired by gastroenterologists, confirmed cases presented far more frequency of digestive symptoms than excluded cases (22.8% vs. 3.64%, p < 0.0001 ). Furthermore, confirmed patients reported more percentage of watery diarrhea (56% vs. 36%, p < 0.0001 ) and higher frequent vomit ( 2.77 ± 0.97 vs. 1.80 ± 0.45 per day, p = 0.041 ) than excluded cases. We concluded that gastroenterologists could detect a greater proportion of gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 patients during fever clinic inquiries. Moreover, confirmed COVID-19 patients are more likely to have higher severity in digestive symptoms than excluded cases. Therefore, physicians in fever clinic should pay more attention to the triage of gastrointestinal symptoms.

Author(s):  
Gözde Derviş Hakim ◽  
Şükran Köse ◽  
Pınar Şamlıoğlu ◽  
Cengiz Ceylan ◽  
Mehmet Can Uğur ◽  
...  

Objective: Although Covid-19 which has been identified as the disease caused by SARS COV-2 virus mainly affects the respiratory tract, it was observed that many systems were affected. The gastrointestinal system is one of the main systems involved. The aim of this manuscript was to perform epidemiological, virological, and clinical analysis of 59 Covid 19-positive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Method: Covid-19 diagnosed patients have been started to be admitted since March, 20, 2020. Epidemiological, demographical, clinical findings, laboratory analyses as well as hospitalization periods and disease progression of the patients presenting gastrointestinal system (GIS) symptoms admitted between March, 31, 2020 and August, 1, 2020. Results: Totally 710 Covid 19-positive patients hospitalized were screened. Among these patients, those with incomplete medical history and deficient data were excluded. The analysis of 281 patients admitted due to Covid-19 diagnosis with complete data since admission revealed that 59 patients presented GIS symptoms at admission. The aforesaid patients were compared with 222 patients admitted due to Covid-19 without GIS symptoms within the same period. GIS symptoms were detected on 59 (59/281) (20.99%) patients admitted due to Covid-19. Detailed review of these patients revealed that 18 (18/59) (30.50%) patients had nausea-vomiting, 10 (10/59) (16.95%) patients had abdominal pain, and 31 (31/59) (52.55%) patients had GIS bleeding. It was observed that vomiting was added into the clinical presentation in 7 of 18 patients. Although there is not any diarrhea symptom alone, total number of cases with diarrhea+abdominal pain, diarrhea+nausea-vomiting, diarrhea+nausea-vomiting+abdominal pain was 17 (17/59) (28.81%) of 59 patients. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, we have found 20.99% gi symptoms in the hospitalizated patients due to Covid 19. Although GIS symptoms are not associated with disease severity, they are important for the identification and spread of the disease, along with respiratory symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 145 (15) ◽  
pp. 1033-1038
Author(s):  
Christian Schulz ◽  
Julia Mayerle ◽  
Hans Christian Stubbe ◽  
Simon Sirtl ◽  
Markus M. Lerch ◽  
...  

AbstractCOVID 19, caused by SARS-CoV2, a new variant of coronaviruses, typically presents with respiratory symptoms. However, in a significat number of patients different organs are involved in the disease, often including gastrointestinal symptoms. These could include loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, with diarrhea being associated with a more severe course of COVID-19. Because viral RNA can be detected in fecal samples, some implications for clinical routine in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are grown. Until yet, no clear evidence is given regarding fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV2.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahzaib Ahmad ◽  
Rahim Nadeem Ahmed ◽  
Poonam Jani ◽  
Mattee Ullah ◽  
Hossam Aboulgheit

Abstract Efforts to recognize SARS–CoV-2 infection have focused on respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath. Although it is also well known that SARS–CoV-2 infection can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, there are emerging reports of SARS–CoV-2 infection causing surgical pathology. We present the first case report of SARS–CoV-2 infection directly causing acute appendicitis, first suspected due to highly atypical histological features and later confirmed as polymerase chain reaction positive appendicular tissue sample.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 2050313X2098321
Author(s):  
Mohammad Altermanini ◽  
Mhd Baraa Habib ◽  
Abdel-Naser Elzouki

COVID-19 is an infectious disease, which often presents with fever and respiratory symptoms. However, gastrointestinal symptoms have also been reported to occur in patients with COVID-19. Although abdominal pain was described in some reports of COVID-19, it was uncommon and often associated with other symptoms. We describe a challenging case of a COVID-19 patient who presented with severe isolated abdominal pain initially, then developed pneumonia symptoms which led to the diagnosis of COVID-19 thereafter.


2020 ◽  
pp. 195-197
Author(s):  
Nikhat Naaz

Background: In Dec 2019, a series of pneumonia cases were identified in Wuhan, China with presentations similar to viral pneumonia which later spread worldwide and was declared as COVID 19 Pandemic. Most common presentation were fever and respiratory symptoms and less common symptoms include GI symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Objectives: The objective of this article is to review the gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID 19 patients and to understand its importance while diagnosing patients with COVID 19. Methodology: Pubmed database and Google scholar database were searched between Dec 2019 to June 2020 for studies including COVID 19 confirmed patients with GI symptoms. Findings: Many of these studies observed gastrointestinal symptoms like decreased appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain to be present in a substantial no of COVID 19 confirmed patients. Conclusions: Failure to recognize COVID 19 patients with predominant digestive symptoms may lead to undue spread of virus for a much longer period and may lead to uncontrollable dissemination of the virus. Recommendation: All COVID 19 confirmed patients should be evaluated for GI symptoms also apart from respiratory symptoms. Patients with predominantly GI symptoms should also be suspected as COVID 19 patients during the current COVID 19 pandemic phase.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Angela Saviano ◽  
Mattia Brigida ◽  
Alessio Migneco ◽  
Gayani Gunawardena ◽  
Christian Zanza ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) is a probiotic that can colonize different human body sites, including primarily the gastrointestinal tract, but also the urinary tract, the skin, and breast milk. Literature data showed that the administration of L. reuteri can be beneficial to human health. The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the role of L. reuteri in the management of gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation, both in adults and children, which are frequent reasons for admission to the emergency department (ED), in order to promote the best selection of probiotic type in the treatment of these uncomfortable and common symptoms. Materials and Methods: We searched articles on PubMed® from January 2011 to January 2021. Results: Numerous clinical studies suggested that L. reuteri may be helpful in modulating gut microbiota, eliminating infections, and attenuating the gastrointestinal symptoms of enteric colitis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (also related to the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection), irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic constipation. In both children and in adults, L. reuteri shortens the duration of acute infectious diarrhea and improves abdominal pain in patients with colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. It can ameliorate dyspepsia and symptoms of gastritis in patients with HP infection. Moreover, it improves gut motility and chronic constipation. Conclusion: Currently, probiotics are widely used to prevent and treat numerous gastrointestinal disorders. In our opinion, L. reuteri meets all the requirements to be considered a safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious probiotic that is able to contribute to the beneficial effects on gut-human health, preventing and treating many gastrointestinal symptoms, and speeding up the recovery and discharge of patients accessing the emergency department.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Pizuorno ◽  
Nora A. Fierro ◽  
Edgar D. Copado-Villagrana ◽  
María E. Herrera-Solís ◽  
Gholamreza Oskrochi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Covid-19 in Mexico is on the rise in different parts of the country. We aimed to study the symptoms and comorbidities that associate with this pandemic in 3 different regions of Mexico. Methods We analyzed data from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients evaluated at healthcare centers and hospitals of Mexico (n = 1607) including Northwest Mexico (Sinaloa state), Southeast Mexico (Veracruz state) and West Mexico (Jalisco state) between March 1 and July 30, 2020. Mexico consists of a total population that exceeds 128 million. Demographics, comorbidities and clinical symptoms were collected. Statistical descriptive analysis and correlation analyses of symptoms, comorbidities and mortality were performed. Results A total of 1607 hospitalized patients positive for COVID-19 across all 3 regions of Mexico were included. The average age was 54.6 years and 60.4% were male. A mortality rate of 33.1% was observed. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (43.2%), obesity (30.3%) and diabetes (31.4%). Hypertension was more frequent in West (45%), followed by Northwest (37%) and Southeast Mexico (29%). Obesity was around 30% in Northwest and West whereas an 18% was reported in Southeast. Diabetes was most common in West (34%) followed by Northwest (22%) and Southeast (13%). This might be related to the highest mortality rate in Northwest (31%) and West (37%) when compared to Southeast. Most common symptoms in our overall cohort were fever (80.8%), cough (79.8%), headache (66%), dyspnea (71.1%), myalgia (53.8%), joints pain (50.8%) and odynophagia (34.8%). Diarrhea was the main gastrointestinal (GI) symptom (21.3%), followed by abdominal pain (18%), and nausea/ vomiting (4.5%). Diarrhea and abdominal pain were more common in West (23.1 and 21%), followed by Southeast (17.8, and 9.8%) and Northwest (11.4 and 3.1%). Conclusion Our study showed a high mortality rate likely related to high frequencies of comorbidities (hypertension, obesity and diabetes). Mortality was different across regions. These discrepancies might be related to the differences in the frequencies of comorbidities, and partially attributed to differences in socio-economic conditions and quality of care. Thus, our findings stress the need for improved strategies to get better outcomes in our population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117954762110177
Author(s):  
Rebecca DeBoer ◽  
Sahani Jayatilaka ◽  
Anthony Donato

Whipple’s disease (WD) is an uncommon cause of seronegative arthritis. WD is known for its gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain. However, arthritis may precede gastrointestinal symptoms by 6 to 7 years. We describe a case of an 85-year-old Caucasian male with multiple joint complaints, not responsive to traditional treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. We suggest that WD be considered for seronegative arthritis especially affecting large joints.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S48-S48
Author(s):  
Hartman Brunt ◽  
Mason Adams ◽  
Michael Barker ◽  
Diana Hamer ◽  
J C Chapman

Abstract Purpose Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) caused by an abnormal immune response to intestinal microbes in a genetically susceptible host. The objective of this cohort analysis is to compare demographic characteristics, cost difference, and treatment modalities between patients who were discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) and those who were admitted to the hospital. Methods This study is a retrospective chart review of adult patients diagnosed with CD who were discharged from the ED and those who were admitted to the hospital between January 1, 2014 and January 1, 2017. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics as well as total charges incurred by these patients. A chi square test of independence and a Mann Whitney U-Test were used to compare categorical variables. Linear and logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify predictors of hospitalization and total charges. Results Of a total 195 patients, 97 were discharged from the ED and 98 were admitted to the hospital (Table 1). Patients who presented with fever, nausea/vomiting, or abdominal pain or who had a history of a fistula or stenosis were more likely to be hospitalized, as were patients who presented on steroids, 5-ASA compounds, or narcotics (Table 2). A logistic regression adjusted for these factors showed patients presenting with abdominal pain (OR=0.239, 95% CI 0.07 – 0.77) are less likely, while patients presenting with fever (OR=7.0, 95% CI 1.9 – 24.5) and history of stenosis (OR=17.8, 95% CI 5.7 – 55.9) are more likely to have a hospital admission. An increase in age and white blood cell count was associated with an increase in likelihood of admission (OR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.07 and OR=1.2, 95% CI 1.1 – 1.4), while an increase in HGB was associated with a decrease in likelihood of admission (OR=0.682, 95% CI 0.55 – 0.83). Patients on 5-ASA compounds had the strongest association with hospital admission (OR=4.5, 95% CI 1.03 – 20.4). A linear regression analysis predicting total charges of hospitalization identified an increase of $37,500 (95% CI 6,600 – 68,489) for obese patients and of $29,000 (95% CI 20 – 57,000) for patients on narcotics prior to hospitalization. Notably, blacks were on average 6 years younger than whites (μ=36.2, st.d.=13.2 v μ=42.7, st.d.=18.2, p=0.031, respectively). No other differences in presentation or outcomes of CD were identified between these races. Conclusion This study describes the difference between CD patients who were admitted to the hospital compared to those who were discharged from the ED. The impact that 5-ASA compound, steroid, and narcotic use prior to presentation has on hospital admission and charges highlights the need for consistent outpatient care to manage the symptoms and disease progression in patients with CD in Baton Rouge. The difference in age at presentation between blacks and whites should also be considered in future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan Habib ◽  
Khalid Mehmood A Khan

ObjectiveTo determine the clinical profile and outcome of critically ill children presenting to a paediatric ED in a lower middle-income country.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of children (<14 years) presenting to the ED of the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, between January and December 2014 who were assigned to acuity 1 (requiring immediate life-saving interventions) according to the Emergency Severity Index. Data included demographic variables, presenting complaints, interventions and outcomes in the ED.ResultsThere were 172 162 visits during the year. Of these, 13 551 (8%) were level 1. 64% of level 1 patients were transported to the ED without ambulance service. Neonates (0–28 days) constituted 48% of level 1 children; their most frequent presenting complaints were respiratory symptoms, followed by fever and reluctance to feed. Above the neonatal age group, the most common presenting complaints were gastrointestinal symptoms (with signs of hypoperfusion), followed by seizures, reluctance to feed and respiratory symptoms. 64% of children of >28 days presenting were malnourished. Interventions included cardiopulmonary resuscitation, application of bubble continuous positive airway pressure and endotracheal intubation. Overall mortality was 13%; 63% of all deaths were in the neonatal age group.ConclusionChildren with the highest triage acuity represent 8% of all visits to a paediatric ED. In this group, neonates account for nearly half of all the children, and more than half of all the deaths among critically ill children came in ED. A large proportion of high-acuity children are malnourished.


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