Impact of COVID-19 on the digestive system: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Background: Various digestive symptoms caused by COVID-19 are frequently reported. This study aims to describe the most frequent digestive signs in patients with COVID-19, the relationship between the severity of digestive symptoms and some serological markers associated with liver manifestation, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a stool sample, and the mortality rate of those patients. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases with digestive and hepatic manifestation in one center (Fallujah Teaching Hospital), Anbar governorate, Iraq, during a period of study. Questioner’s data were formed for all patients regarding age, sex, and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Liver function enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin and haematological parameters such as ferritin D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, amylase, leukocyte count, and prothrombin time were used. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in stool is determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction according to manufacturer’s instructions. The mortality rate of patients with COVID-19 was also determined. Data were followed up until April 22, 2022. Results: Patients with digestive symptoms who had COVID-19 had an average age of 45.03 (SD 20.078), 52 (52%) were men, and 48 (48%) were women. No statistically significant variances were observed in the severity of digestive symptoms among age groups. The three digestive symptoms that patients with COVID-19 experienced most frequently were fatigue, fever, and abdominal colic. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the stool of 11% of the patients with COVID-19 with digestive signs. The COVID-19 mortality rate was 9%. Statistically, significant variance was observed in ALT (P value 0.01) and TBIL (P value 0.0027) levels between mild, moderate, and severe gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. The levels of CRP varied considerably among those with mild, moderate, and severe GI conditions (P value 0.0182, according to the findings). In mild, moderate, and severe GI disorders, ferritin levels differed considerably (P value 0.05). Conclusions: The faecal sample with a nasopharyngeal swab is needed to confirm COVID-19 diagnosis; hepatic manifestations are connected with increased COVID-19 mortality in individuals with digestive symptoms.