Impact of Gastrointestinal Symptoms on in-Hospital Outcomes and Long-Term Sequelae in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms have become increasingly recognized as a significant aspect of COVID-19. However, the long-term impact of GI symptoms on disease course, outcomes, and post-discharge sequelae remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the disease course, outcomes, and long-term sequelae of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with and without GI symptoms. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 246 hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Participants were divided into two groups: 123 with GI symptoms and 123 without. Clinical outcomes during hospitalization and post-discharge follow-up were compared between the two groups. Results: Patients with GI symptoms demonstrated better in-hospital outcomes, including lower oxygen requirements and a higher frequency of complete recovery. However, rates of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and mortality were similar between both groups. Long-term follow-up revealed comparable rates of post-COVID-19 symptoms in both groups, with persistent symptoms being more common than new symptoms. Conclusion: Our study found that patients with GI symptoms had better in-hospital outcomes regarding oxygen requirements and complete recovery. However, long-term post-discharge sequelae were similar in both groups. These findings highlight the importance of ongoing research to better understand the long-term impact of COVID-19, including the potential role of GI symptoms in disease course and outcomes.
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405009220