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

Abstract

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. This study aims 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 COVID-19. 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. In summary, this study concludes that fever is the most common symptom in COVID-19. It was 61.4% while Diarrhea is the most common gastrointestinal symptom of COVID-19.