Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41688943›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2026

Evaluation of clinical and laboratory manifestations related to the gastrointestinal system and prognosis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study.

Thiago Henrique Fernandes de Carvalho, Fabyan Beltrão Esberard, Maryana Cavalcanti Holanda, Matheus Venâncio de Paiva, Daniele Carvalhal de Almeida Beltrão, Giulia Carvalhal, José Felipe Lacerda Fernandes, Carlos Alexandre Antunes de Brito

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Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Thiago Henrique Fernandes de CarvalhoPostgraduate Program in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. thiagoferca@gmail.com.
Fabyan Beltrão EsberardDepartment of Internal Medicine, Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Maryana Cavalcanti HolandaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Matheus Venâncio de PaivaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Alberto Urquiza Wanderley Hospital, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Daniele Carvalhal de Almeida BeltrãoPostgraduate Program in Cognitive Neuroscience and Behavior, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Giulia CarvalhalCenter for Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Campina Grande, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
José Felipe Lacerda FernandesSchool of Medicine, João Pessoa University Center, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil.
Carlos Alexandre Antunes de BritoPostgraduated Program in Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe prognostic implications of gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormal liver enzymes in COVID-19 patients have shown significant variability. This study aimed to describe the incidence of these manifestations and their correlation with disease severity in a Brazilian population during the early phase of the pandemic, a context with limited published data.

methodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 253 consecutive patients with SARS-CoV-2 conducted in a tertiary hospital in João Pessoa, Brazil. Patients were evaluated for the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, elevated liver enzymes, and clinical outcomes (ICU admission, mortality). Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney, chi-square, or Fisher tests, and logistic regression. Inclusion criteria were a positive rRT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 or clinical-radiological findings (CO-RADS 5) with positive serology. Patients were classified as severe or critical based on respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and organ failure requiring mechanical ventilation or ICU care.

resultsForty-nine (19.37%) patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms. No significant differences were found in ICU admission (20.4% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.707) or mortality (16.2% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.674) between groups with and without these symptoms. Elevation of liver enzymes during hospitalization was associated with a longer hospital stay (median 7 days vs. 5 days, p = 0.0016) but not with ICU admission or mortality.

conclusionsIn this cohort, gastrointestinal symptoms and elevated liver enzymes at admission were not predictors of mortality. However, in-hospital liver enzyme elevation was associated with a longer hospital stay, highlighting its importance as a marker for resource management rather than mortality risk. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

COVID-19Gastrointestinal DiseasesAdultAgedBrazilFemaleHospitalizationHumansMaleMiddle AgedPandemicsPrognosisProspective StudiesSARS-CoV-2Severity of Illness IndexBrazilCohort studiesCOVID-19Gastrointestinal diseasesLiver function testsPrognosis

Identifiers

PMID41688943
PMCPMC13005538

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.