Diabetic factors associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIM: To determine whether gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are more frequent in type 2 diabetic patients and to examine which diabetic factors are associated with the symptoms. METHODS: Consecutive subjects with diabetes and age-/gender-matched normal controls were recruited for this study. GI symptoms were assessed using a structured questionnaire divided into two GI symptomcategories (upper and lower GI symptoms), and consisting of 11 individual symptoms. In the diabetic patient group, diabetic complications including peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and diabetes duration were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the total 190 diabetic patients and 190 controls enrolled, 137 (72%) of the diabetic patients and 116 (62%) of the controls had GI symptoms. In the diabetic patient group, 83 (43%) had upper GI symptoms and 110 (58%) lower GI symptoms; in the control group, 59 (31%) had upper GI symptoms and 104 (55%) lower GI symptoms. This difference between the two groups was significant for only the upper GI symptoms (P = 0.02). Among the diabetic factors, the HbA1c level was the only independent risk factor for upper GI symptoms in the multiple logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-3.95). CONCLUSION: Type 2 diabetes was associated with an increased prevalence of upper GI symptoms and these symptoms appeared to be independently linked to poor glycemic control, as measured by the HbA1c levels.

Prevalence and Determinants of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults on Maintenance Hemodialysis in Cameroon

Introduction: Gastrointestinal symptoms (GIS) are common in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and constitute an important cause of morbidity. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of GIS and identify their determinants in adults on maintenance hemodialysis in Cameroon. Patients and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2017 at the Yaounde University Teaching Hospital dialysis center. All conscious consenting adults’ patients who provided a written informed consent and have been on hemodialysis for more than three months with an arterio-venous fistula were recruited. All chronic hemodialysis patients of the center dialyze 4 hours twice a week. All patients with dementia were excluded. We collected demographic, clinical, and paraclinical data and used Rome IV modified GIS rating scale. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to compare variables. Results: We included 83 (72.3% males) participants with a mean (SD) age of 50 (12) years. Hypertension (31.3%), chronic glomerulonephritis (26.5%) and diabetes mellitus (20.5%) were the leading baseline nephropathy. There were 31 (37.3%) participants with psychiatric disorders including anxiety (45.2%) and depression (54.8%). The biological abnormalities were increased parathormone (20.5%), hypocalcemia (24.1%), hyperphosphatemia (32.5%), increased C-reactive protein (46.4%) and anemia (68.7%). The GIS was reported in 73 (87.9%) participants. Diarrhea (47%), constipation (38.6%), vomiting (38.6%), anorexia (33.7%) and nausea (31.3%) were the main GIS observed. The presence of hypertension was the only association with the GIS (p = 0.02). We did not find any association between GIS and age, gender, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric disorders and duration in dialysis (all p > 0.1). Conclusion: We reported a high prevalence of GIS in this mainly young adult population. This could be related to their under-dialysis status and suggest the increased frequency of dialysis session in this setting.

Weight Loss and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Patients Treated with Platinum-based Chemotherapy

Objective This study assessed the weight loss changes and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with advanced tumors receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 297 patients with advanced cancers[124 gastrointestinal(GI)cancer patients,119 lung cancer patients and 54 head and neck cancer(HNC)patients]receiving first-line chemotherapy at Tongji Hospital.The patients’changes in body weight,body mass index(BMI),and biochemical parameters(serum haemoglobin and albumin levels)were compared before and after two chemotherapy cycles.Results More than half[54.88%(163/297)]of the patients had experienced unintentional weight loss in the 6 months before chemotherapy,and weight loss≥5%and≥10%of the body mass was noted in 35.69%and 20.20%of the patients,respectively.After two cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy,the proportions of patients with a>5%reduction in body weight among patients with GI,lung,and head and neck cancers were 47.5%(59/124),44.53%(53/119),and 46.2%(25/54),respectively.The patients with GI and lung cancers were more vulnerable to extreme weight loss(≥10%)than those with HNC(P=0.025).The serum hemoglobin levels were also remarkably decreased relative to those before chemotherapy(all P<0.05).Common GI symptoms reported by all patients included anorexia(61.28%),vomiting(52.53%),and nausea(51.18%).A higher proportion of patients with≥10%weight loss experienced anorexia and vomiting(OR=12.21 and 3.61,P=0.008 and 0.047,respectively).Conclusions For advanced cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy,the GI symptoms are the major factor related to their nutritional status.Appropriate nutritional screening,evaluation and treatment should be applied during the treatment of cancer in order to reduce GI symptoms and improve the patient’s nutritional status.

Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19

Gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms,such as diarrhea,abdominal pain,vomiting,and anorexia,are frequently observed in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,the pathophysiological mechanisms connecting these GI symptoms to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infections remain elusive.Previous studies indicate that the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into intestinal cells leads to downregulation of angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2)receptors resulting in impaired barrier function.While intestinal ACE2 functions as a chaperone for the amino acid transporter B0AT1,the B0AT1/ACE2 complex within the intestinal epithelium acts as a regulator of gut microbiota composition and function.Alternations to the B0AT1/ACE2 complex lead to microbial dysbiosis through increased local and systemic immune responses.Previous studies have also suggested that altered serotonin metabolism may be the underlying cause of GI disorders involving diarrhea.The findings of elevated plasma serotonin levels and high fecal calprotectin in COVID-19 patients with diarrhea indicate that the viral infection evokes a systemic inflammatory response that specifically involves the GI.Interestingly,the elevated proinflammatory cytokines correlate with elevated serotonin and fecal calprotectin levels further supporting the evidence of GI inflammation,a hallmark of functional GI disorders.Moreover,the finding that rectal swabs of COVID-19 patients remain positive for SARS-CoV-2 even after the nasopharynx clears the virus,suggests that viral replication and shedding from the GI tract may be more robust than that of the respiratory tract,further indicating fecal-oral transmission as another important route of viral spread.This review summarized the evidence for pathophysiological mechanisms(impaired barrier function,gut inflammation,altered serotonin metabolism and gut microbiota dysbiosis)underlying the GI symptoms in patients with COVID-19.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with COVID-19: Is there a relationship with mortality and new variations of SARS-CoV-2?

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Although,respiratory symptoms are typical the digestive system is also a susceptible target with gastrointestinal symptoms present even in the absence of respiratory symptoms.The gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 include diarrhea,abdominal pain,anorexia,and nausea among other symptoms.Some questions that remain to be answered include:Do patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have a higher mortality?SARS-CoV-2 variants are already a global reality:Do these variants present with a greater prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms?Do patients with these symptoms warrant more intensive care unit care?

Gastrointestinal symptoms as the first sign of chronic granulomatous disease in a neonate: A case report

BACKGROUND Chronic granulomatous disease(CGD)characterized by recurrent and severe bacterial and fungal infections is most common in childhood.CASE SUMMARY We reported a 24-d-old male infant who developed gastrointestinal symptoms as the first sign of CGD.CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal symptoms representing the first sign of CGD are very rare,and prompt diagnosis and treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics were of crucial importance.

Clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms as initial symptoms: Retrospective case series

BACKGROUND A large number of pneumonia cases due to coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)have been first reported in China.Meanwhile,the virus is sweeping all around the world and has infected millions of people.Fever and pulmonary symptoms have been noticed as major and early signs of infection,whereas gastrointestinal symptoms were also observed in a significant portion of patients.The clinical investigation of disease onset was underestimated,especially due to the neglection of cases presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms.AIM To characterize the clinical features of coronavirus-infected patients with gastrointestinal symptoms as initial symptoms.METHODS This is a retrospective,single-center case series of the general consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 at Wuhan Union Hospital from February 2,2020 to February 13,2020.According to their initial symptoms,these patients were classified into two groups.Patients in group one presented with pulmonary symptoms(PS)as initial symptoms,and group two presented with gastrointestinal symptoms(GS).Epidemiological,demographic,clinical,laboratory,and treatment data were collected for analysis.RESULTS Among the 50 patients recruited,no patient has been admitted to intensive care units,and no patient died during the study.The duration of hospitalization was longer in the GS group than in the PS group(12.13±2.44 vs 10.00±2.13,P<0.01).All of the 50 patients exhibited decreased lymphocytes.However,lymphocytes in the GS group were significantly lower compared to those in the PS group(0.94±0.06 vs 1.04±0.15,P<0.01).Procalcitonin and hs-CRP were both significantly higher in the GS group than in the PS group.Accordingly,the duration of viral shedding was significantly longer in the GS group compared to the PS group(10.22±1.93 vs 8.15±1.87,P<0.01).CONCLUSION COVID-19 patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms as initial symptoms need more days of viral shedding and hospitalization than the patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms.

Association of Perceived Stress and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in College Students: A Systematic Review

Stress and anxiety are common entities in college students, and only a handful of students can handle these stressors appropriately, while others may show physical signs and symptoms. The main purpose of this systematic review was to examine the association between perceived stress and gastrointestinal symptoms. A detailed search was conducted using five databases: PubMed, Research Gate, Science Direct, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Google scholar. Ten papers were finalized after the application of various inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Newcastle Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles as all the included articles were cross-sectional studies. The systematic review of these finalized articles found that most studies revealed the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in college students and were linked to perceived stress.

Association between gastrointestinal symptoms and affectivity in patients with bipolar disorder

AIM To study if anxiety, depression and experience of stress are associated with gastrointestinal(GI) symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder.METHODS A total of 136 patients with bipolar disorder(mean age 49.9 years; 61% women) and 136 controls from the general population(mean age 51.0 years; 60% women) were included in the study. GI symptoms were assessed with The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale-irritable bowel syndrome(GSRS-IBS), level of anxiety and depression with The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS) and stress-proneness with Perceived Stress Questionnaire. Over a ten year period, all visits in primary care were retrospectively recorded in order to identify functional GI disorders.RESULTS In subjects with low total HADS-score, there were no significant differences in GI-symptoms between patients and controls(GSRS-IBS 7.0 vs 6.5, P = 0.513). In the patients with bipolar disorder there were significant correlations between all GSRS and HADS subscores for all symptom clusters except for "constipation" and "reflux". Factors associated to GI symptoms in the patient group were female sex(adjusted OR = 2.37, 95%CI: 1.07-5.24) and high HADS-Depression score(adjusted OR = 3.64, 95%CI: 1.07-12.4). These patients had also significantly more visits for IBS than patients with low HADS-Depression scores(29% vs 8%, P = 0.008). However, there was no significant differences in consulting behaviour for functional GI disorders between patients and controls(25% vs 17%, P = 0.108).CONCLUSION Female patients and patients with high HADS depression score reported significantly more GI symptoms, whereas patients with low HADS scores did not differ from control subjects.

Gastrointestinal and nutritional care in pediatric neuromuscular disorders

Neuromuscular diseases(NMDs)affect the development and growth of the neuromuscular system in children.The pathology can occur anywhere along the neuromuscular pathway,from the brain to the nerves to the muscle fibers.These diseases have a profound impact on the quality of life not only of children but also of their families.The predominant manifestation in NMDs is hypotonia,which leads to muscle weakness and fatigue,reduced mobility,and decreased physical performance.However,multiple organ systems can be affected,with resulting orthopedic,cardiac,infectious,respiratory,and nutritional problems.Children with NMD present an increased risk for several dietary and feeding difficulties because of their neuromuscular diagnosis,presentation,and severity.These problems include chronic gastrointestinal issues(constipation,dysphagia,gastroesophageal reflux,and diarrhea),dysphagia,malnutrition,and body composition alterations.As a result,compared to the overall pediatric population,infants and children with NMD are more likely to be malnourished,ranging from failure to thrive to overweight or obesity.Disease-specific guidelines vary in level of detail and recommendations for dietary management.Overall,nutritional data available are sparse,with the exception of Duchenne muscular dystrophy,spinal muscular atrophy,and congenital muscular dystrophy.The purpose of this review is to describe the spectrum of nutritional challenges in children with NMD and to summarize the main dietary and gastrointestinal recommendations for each neuromuscular disorder to provide guidance for daily clinical practice.

A systematic scoping review of study methodology for randomized controlled trials investigating probiotics in athletic and physically active populations

Background:The purported ergogenic and health effects of probiotics have been a topic of great intrigue among researchers,practitioners,and the lay public alike.There has also been an increased research focus within the realm of sports science and exercise medicine on the athletic gut microbiota.However,compared to other ergogenic aids and dietary supplements,probiotics present unique study challenges.The objectives of this systematic scoping review were to identify and characterize study methodologies of randomized controlled trials investigating supplementation with probiotics in athletes and physically active individuals.Methods:Four databases(MEDLINE,CINAHL,Cochrane CENTRAL,and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)were searched for randomized controlled studies involving healthy athletes or physically active individuals.An intervention with probiotics and inclusion of a control and/or placebo group were essential.Only peer-reviewed articles in English were considered,and there were no date restrictions.Results were extracted and presented in tabular form to detail study protocols,characteristics,and outcomes.Bias in randomized controlled trials was determined with the RoB 2.0 tool.Results:A total of 45 studies were included in the review,with 35 using a parallel group design and 10 using a cross-over design.Approximately half the studies used a single probiotic and the other half a multi-strain preparation.The probiotic dose ranged from 2×10^(8)to 1×10^(11)colony forming units daily,and the length of intervention was between 7 and 150 days.Fewer than half the studies directly assessed gastrointestinal symptoms,gut permeability,or the gut microbiota.The sex ratio of participants was heavily weighted toward males,and only 3 studies exclusively investigated females.Low-level adverse events were reported in only 2 studies,although the methodology of reporting varied widely.The risk of bias was generally low,although details on randomization were lacking in some studies.Conclusion:There is a substantial body of research on the effects of prob iotic supplementation in healthy athletes and physically active individuals.Considerable heterogeneity in probiotic selection and dosage as well as outcome measures has made clinical and mechanistic interpretation challenging for both health care practitioners and researchers.Attention to issues of randomization of participants,treatments and interventions,selection of outcomes,demographics,and reporting of adverse events will facilitate more trustworthy interpretation of probiotic study results and inform evidence-based guidelines.

Hepatic and gastrointestinal disturbances in Egyptian patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019: A multicentre cohort study

BACKGROUND Various liver and gastrointestinal involvements occur in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)at variable prevalence.Most studies report mild liver function disturbances correlated with COVID-19 severity,though liver failure is unusual.AIM To study liver and gastrointestinal dysfunctions in Egyptian patients with COVID-19 and their relation to disease outcomes METHODS This multicentre cohort study was conducted on 547 Egyptian patients from April 15,2020 to July 29,2020.Consecutive polymerase chain reaction-confirmed COVID-19 cases were included from four quarantine hospitals affiliated to the Egyptian ministry of health.Demographic information,laboratory characteristics,treatments,fibrosis-4(FIB-4)index,COVID-19 severity,and outcomes were recorded and compared according to the degree of liver enzyme elevation and the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms.Follow-ups were conducted until discharge or death.Regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors affecting mortality.RESULTS This study included 547 patients,of whom 53(9.68%)died during hospitalization and 1 was discharged upon his request.Patients’mean age was 45.04±17.61 years,and 21.98%had severe or critical COVID-19.Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were available for 430 and 428 patients,respectively.In total,26%and 32%of patients had elevated ALT and AST,respectively.Significant liver injury with ALT or AST elevation exceeding 3-fold was recorded in 21(4.91%)and 16(3.73%)patients,respectively.Male gender,smoking,hypertension,chronic hepatitis C,and lung involvement were associated with elevated AST or ALT.AST was elevated in 50%of patients over 60-years-old.FIB-4 was significantly higher in patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU),those with more severe COVID-19,and non-survivors.The independent variables affecting outcome were supplementary vitamin C intake(1 g daily capsules)[odds ratio(OR):0.05,95%confidence interval(CI):0.008–0.337];lung consolidation(OR:4.540,95%CI:1.155–17.840);ICU admission(OR:25.032,95%CI:7.110–88.128);and FIB-4 score>3.25(OR:10.393,95%CI:2.459-43.925).Among 60(13.98%)patients with gastrointestinal symptoms,52(86.67%)had diarrhoea.Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were predominantly females with higher body mass index,and 50(83.40%)patients had non-severe COVID-19.CONCLUSION Few Egyptian patients with COVID-19 developed a significant liver injury.The independent variables affecting mortality were supplementary vitamin C intake,lung consolidation,ICU admission,and FIB-4 score.

Inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal system associated with COVID-19

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)that causes coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)has provoked a global pandemic,mainly affecting the respiratory tract;however,a percentage of infected individuals can develop gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms.Some studies describe the development of GI symptoms and how they affect the progression of COVID-19.In this review,we summarize the main mechanisms associated with gut damage during infection by SARS-CoV-2 as well as other organs such as the liver and pancreas.Not only are host factors associated with severe COVID-19 but intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is also observed in patients with severe disease.

COVID-19 and the gastrointestinal tract:Source of infection or merely a target of the inflammatory process following SARS-CoV-2 infection?

Gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms have been described in a conspicuous percentage of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.This clinical evidence is supported by the detection of viral RNA in stool,which also supports the hypothesis of a possible fecal-oral transmission route.The involvement of GI tract in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection is corroborated by the theoretical assumption that angiotensin converting enzyme 2,which is a SARS-CoV-2 target receptor,is present along the GI tract.Studies have pointed out that gut dysbiosis may occur in COVID-19 patients,with a possible correlation with disease severity and with complications such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.However,the question to be addressed is whether dysbiosis is a consequence or a contributing cause of SARS-CoV-2 infection.In such a scenario,pharmacological therapies aimed at decreasing GI permeability may be beneficial for COVID-19 patients.Considering the possibility of a fecal-oral transmission route,water and environmental sanitation play a crucial role for COVID-19 containment,especially in developing countries.

Current understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal disease:Challenges and openings

The novel coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)is caused by a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus which belongs to the Coronaviridae family.In March 2019 the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic.COVID-19 patients typically have a fever,dry cough,dyspnea,fatigue,and anosmia.Some patients also report gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms,including diarrhea,nausea,vomiting,and abdominal pain,as well as liver enzyme abnormalities.Surprisingly,many studies have found severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)viral RNA in rectal swabs and stool specimens of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.In addition,viral receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane protease serine-type 2,were also found to be highly expressed in gastrointestinal epithelial cells of the intestinal mucosa.Furthermore,SARS-CoV-2 can dynamically infect and replicate in both GI and liver cells.Taken together these results indicate that the GI tract is a potential target of SARS-CoV-2.Therefore,the present review summarizes the vital information available to date on COVID-19 and its impact on GI aspects.

Prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in children with celiac disease on different types of gluten-free diets

BACKGROUND Functional gastrointestinal disorders(FGIDs)are common during the pediatric age.FGIDs are not related to biochemical or structural abnormalities.However,since they have a high prevalence,several studies have evaluated an overlap between FGIDs and organic diseases.Individuals with celiac disease(CD)have been shown to be at an increased risk for functional abdominal pain,even if they adhere well to a gluten-free diet(GFD).Little information is available for the pediatric age group.The aims of our study were to evaluate the prevalence of FGIDS in CD children 1 year after diagnosis and to compare the prevalence of FGIDs in CD children on a GFD with processed foods compared with those on a GFD with natural products.AIM To assess the prevalence of FGIDs in children with CD after 1 year of follow-up and to compare the prevalence of FGIDs in children with CD on a GFD with processed foods and in children on a GFD with natural products.METHODS We recruited pediatric patients aged 1-18 years with a new CD diagnosis.Participants were randomized to two groups:Group A on a GFD with processed foods(diet 1);and group B on a GFD with natural products(diet 2).Clinical monitoring,diet assessment and the questionnaire on pediatric gastrointestinal symptoms-Rome IV version were performed at diagnosis(T0)and after 12 mo of follow-up(T1).Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-d food diary record.Data from the diaries were evaluated using WinFood nutrient analysis software.We assessed the prevalence of FGIDs at T1 and the correlation with the type of GFD.RESULTS We registered 104 CD children,with 55 patients in group A(53.0%)and 49 patients in group B(47.0%).Initially,30 of the 55(54.5%)CD children were symptomatic in group A,while 25 of 49(51.0%)were symptomatic in group B.At T1,in spite of a low or negative serology for CD,FGIDs prevalence was 10/55(18.0%)in group A and 8/49(16.3%)in group B,with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.780).At T1 the macro-and micronutrient intake was similar across the two groups with no significant differences in nutrient analysis.However,in both groups at T1 we found that a lower prevalence of FGIDs(P=0.055)was associated with an inferior caloric(odds ratio=0.99,95%confidence interval:0.99-1.00)and fat(odds ratio=0.33,95%confidence interval:0.65-0.95)intake.CONCLUSION Our results showed that CD children on a GFD have gastrointestinal symptoms with an elevated prevalence of FGIDs.Our study suggests that developing FGIDs may be linked to caloric intake and percentage of food fat,but it does not change between a GFD with processed foods or a GFD with natural products.However,long-term monitoring is required to evaluate a correlation between FGIDs and various types of GFDs.

Successful recovery of COVID-19-associated recurrent diarrhea and gastrointestinal hemorrhage using convalescent plasma

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are not rare among coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) patients, but there have been no reports regarding convalescent plasma therapy for the recovery of gastrointestinal problems in COVID-19 patients.Case presentation: We present two cases of patients with COVID-19-associated recurrent diarrhea and positive fecal occult blood who successfully recovered after a one-time convalescent plasma administration.Conclusion: When COVID-19 patients develop recurrent or refractory gastrointestinal symptoms and fail to respond to the available treatment, alternative therapy with convalescent plasma administration may be considered.

Clinical challenge for gastroenterologists–Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic mastocytosis:A comprehensive review

Mastocytosis is a rare and heterogeneous disease characterized by various clinical and biological features that affect different prognoses and treatments.The disease is usually divided into 2 principal categories:cutaneous and systemic disease(SM).Clinical features can be related to mast cell(MC)mediator release or pathological MC infiltration.SM is a disease often hard to identify,and the diagnosis is based on clinical,biological,histological,and molecular criteria with different specialists involved in the patient’s clinical work-up.Among all manifestations of the disease,gastrointestinal(GI)symptoms are common,being present in 14%-85% of patients,and can significantly impair the quality of life.Here we review the data regarding GI involvement in SM,in terms of clinical presentations,histological and endoscopic features,the pathogenesis of GI symptoms,and their treatment.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with Digestive Symptoms in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Background: The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has greatly challenged public health worldwide. A growing number of studies have reported gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The study aimed to estimate the various digestive symptoms frequently reported in Covid-19 patients among the adult population of Bangladesh. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we enrolled confirmed patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the COVID unit of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical college hospital, Dhaka from July 2020 to December 2020. All patients were COVID confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and were analyzed for clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and imaging study. Results: The study population consisted of 121 COVID-19-positive patients, among them, 57.85% were male and 42.15% female. The majority (43%) of the study population were in the age group of 31 - 40 years. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. Nearly 94.2% of the sample population were married, among them 92.9% were male and 96.1% were female. Out of 121 Covid-19 patients, 30.65% had a contact history, 17.4% had a history of traveling or residing in an area reporting COVID-19 and 11.6% of family members were affected by Covid-19. Most of the patients had a fever (95%), cough (88.4%) and dyspnoea (43.8%), pneumonia (37.4%) and severe pneumonia (36.4%). In this study, 40% patients reported a digestive symptom including diarrhea 47.9%, vomiting 55.5%, loss of appetite 16.5%, abdominal pain 29.8%, abdominal bloating 24.8%, reflux 0%, jaundice 3.3%. Regarding co-morbidities, the majority had bronchial asthma (50%) followed by hypertension 46%, diabetes 38%, obesity 23%, and CKD 14% and heart disease 3%. Among 121 COVID-19 patients, 98% had recovered from the disease and 2% of patients expired. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common among patients with COVID-19 and this group of patients had a long time of hospital stay from onset to admission, and higher liver enzyme levels. During the management of COVID-19 patients, clinicians need to be alert regarding suspicion of the GI features among COVID-19, so that they can diagnose early and treat effectively and immediately.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with Digestive Symptoms: A Retrospective Study from Dakar, Senegal

Introduction: As of February 2022, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a pandemic affecting all countries, with a total of 399 million patients and 5 million deaths. The lungs are the major organs involved in COVID-19. COVID-19 infection is not limited to the respiratory system but can affect multiple organs including the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms on admission in patients with COVID-19 and their association with adverse outcomes, including mortality. Methods: In a retrospective study, we examined medical record data from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to epidemic treatment center of hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Dakar (Senegal) between May 1, 2020, and June 31, 2021. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by real-time polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal and throat swabs. We included all patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and GI symptoms. Result: The study identified 472 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during the study period. We recruited 222 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. The mean age of patients with GI symptoms was 56 years [17 - 90 years], and 54.9% were male. Patients with GI symptoms had comorbidities in 66.2% of cases. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were the most common comorbidities at 29.3%, 23.9%, and 6.7%, respectively. Patients with GI had cough in 69.4%, shortness of breath in 61.7%, ageusia in 57.6%, and fever in 53.1%. At presentation among patients with GI symptoms, 32.4% had mild disease, 27.5% had moderate disease, and 40.1% had severe disease. The prevalence of digestive manifestations was 47%, and the main digestive manifestations were nausea (27%), diarrhea (17.1%), abdominal pain (17.1%) and vomiting (14.4%). GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting were more common in those with hypertension (45%) and those with diabetes (43%). Conclusion: Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in patients with COVID-19. During a pandemic, patients with GI symptoms should be considered for SARS-CoV-2 infection.