Staff Members - Benha University
Meta‐analysis of the demographic and prognostic significance of gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID‐19 patients
JGH Open • 2022
Publication Information
Authors
Shafquat Zaman, Shahin Hajibandeh, Shahab Hajibandeh, Ali Yasen Y Mohamedahmed, Mohammed E El‐Asrag, Nabil Quraishi, Tariq H Iqbal, Andrew D Beggs
Keywords
Not Available
Journal
JGH Open
Publisher
Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Volume
6
Issue
10
Pages
711-722
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Background and Aim
To evaluate the demographic and prognostic significance of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
A systematic search of electronic information sources was conducted. Combined overall effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models for baseline demographic factors and outcomes including mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and length of hospital stay.
Results
Twenty-four comparative observational studies reporting a total of 51 522 COVID-19 patients with (n = 6544) or without (n = 44 978) GI symptoms were identified. The patients with GI symptoms were of comparable age (mean difference [MD]: 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.42 to 2.92, P = 0.86), rate of pre-existing hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11, 95% CI 0.86–1.42, P = 0.42), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.91–1.44, P = 0.26), and coronary artery disease (OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.86–1.16, P = 0.98) compared with those without GI symptoms. However, there were significantly more male patients in the GI symptoms group (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.95, P = 0.005). The presence of GI symptoms was associated with similar risk of mortality (OR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.47–1.13, P = 0.16), ICU admission (OR: 1.15; 95% CI 0.67–1.96, P = 0.62), and length of hospital stay (MD: 0.43; 95% CI −0.73 to 1.60, P = 0.47) when compared with their absence.
Conclusion
Meta-analysis of the best possible available evidence demonstrated that GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients do not seem to affect patients with any specific demographic patterns and may not have any important prognostic significance. Although no randomized studies can be conducted on this topic, future high-quality studies can provide stronger evidence to further understand the impact of GI symptoms on outcomes of COVID-19 patients.
To evaluate the demographic and prognostic significance of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Methods
A systematic search of electronic information sources was conducted. Combined overall effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models for baseline demographic factors and outcomes including mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and length of hospital stay.
Results
Twenty-four comparative observational studies reporting a total of 51 522 COVID-19 patients with (n = 6544) or without (n = 44 978) GI symptoms were identified. The patients with GI symptoms were of comparable age (mean difference [MD]: 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.42 to 2.92, P = 0.86), rate of pre-existing hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11, 95% CI 0.86–1.42, P = 0.42), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.91–1.44, P = 0.26), and coronary artery disease (OR: 1.00, 95% CI 0.86–1.16, P = 0.98) compared with those without GI symptoms. However, there were significantly more male patients in the GI symptoms group (OR: 0.85, 95% CI 0.75–0.95, P = 0.005). The presence of GI symptoms was associated with similar risk of mortality (OR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.47–1.13, P = 0.16), ICU admission (OR: 1.15; 95% CI 0.67–1.96, P = 0.62), and length of hospital stay (MD: 0.43; 95% CI −0.73 to 1.60, P = 0.47) when compared with their absence.
Conclusion
Meta-analysis of the best possible available evidence demonstrated that GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients do not seem to affect patients with any specific demographic patterns and may not have any important prognostic significance. Although no randomized studies can be conducted on this topic, future high-quality studies can provide stronger evidence to further understand the impact of GI symptoms on outcomes of COVID-19 patients.