Prevalence of Liver Injury, Gastrointestinal Tract Symptoms, and H. Pylori Infection in Patients of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Background COVID-19 most commonly presents with respiratory symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat with characteristics of loss of smell and taste. However, digestive symptoms also occur in patients with COVID-19 and are often described in outpatients with less severe disease. Objective To estimate the rate of GI symptoms, liver enzyme levels outside reference ranges, and fecal tests for H. Pylori antigen among patients with the suspected or proven COVID-19. Patients and Methods The research performed on 70 Egyptian patients who have suspected COVID-19 symptoms included in this study. The patients are divided into four groups. Asymptomatic group, group with respiratory symptoms, group with digestive symptoms, and group with respiratory and digestive symptoms. Results The asymptomatic patient was 10%, gastrointestinal symptoms with or without respiratory symptoms 24.3%, digestive symptoms only 11.8% of COVID-19, and H. pylori present in 50% of the digestive group of COVID-19 patients. The use of corticosteroids in the low effective dose for ten days to 2 weeks and anticoagulant play an important role in the management of COVID-19, especially in moderate cases. Conclusion The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 increase up to 24.3% and the prevalence of patients with digestive symptoms only was 11.4%. In some cases, the digestive symptoms, particularly diarrhea, can be the initial or only presentation of COVID-19.