Exploring Infrequent Complications Linked to COVID-19
New research provides insights into the occurrence of uncommon complications associated with COVID-19, shedding light on their frequency and severity. The study, published in the Medicina journal, meticulously examined data from 55 research articles and 42 case studies, focusing on four major organ systems affected by COVID-19. The findings categorized these complications based on their impact on the gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, and cardiovascular systems.
Gastrointestinal System Complications: The research identified various gastrointestinal symptoms and their prevalence, offering valuable insights. These complications include pancreatitis (1%), Ogilvie-like syndrome (1.9%), yellow discoloration of the bowel (2.23%), Clostridium difficile colitis (3.8%), acute cholecystitis (3.8%), bowel ischemia/infarction (4%), hepatic ischemia/necrosis (7.4%), GI bleeding (10.6%), pneumatosis/portal venous gas (20%), bile stasis (54%), ileus (55.8%), and transaminitis (67.3%). Case reports indicated diverse outcomes, with nine out of 19 patients with gastrointestinal complications succumbing to the illness.
Neurological System Complications: The neurological complications of COVID-19, as reflected in 14 research studies, encompass Guillain–Barré syndrome (0.19%), encephalitis (0.19%), cerebral hemorrhage (0.5%), glossopharyngeal neuralgia (3.7%), acute ischemic stroke (4.6%), impaired consciousness (9.6%), delirium (13.1%), muscle pain (15.1%), hyposmia (20.4%), seizures, including hypoxia (27%), encephalopathy related to fever or hypoxia (35.2%), anosmia (79.6%), aguesia (83.38%), and gustatory dysfunction (88.8%). Case reports revealed varied outcomes, with seven out of 11 patients being cured.
Renal System Complications: The renal system complications, observed in 16 studies, included hypoproteinemia (6.5%), acidosis (12%), hyperkalemia (23%), hematuria (26.7%), alkalosis (28%), proteinuria (43.9%), and acute kidney injury (68.8%). Limited data from seven case studies indicated diverse outcomes, with five patients showing improvement or being cured.
Cardiovascular System Complications: The study explored cardiovascular system complications from 18 research studies, unveiling arrhythmia (16.7%), venous thromboembolism (25%), coagulopathy (34.4%), acute cardiac injury (44%), non-coronary myocardial injury (55.56%), and disseminated intravascular coagulation (71.4%). Data from 11 case reports showed that five patients improved or were cured, while two patients died.
The significance of these findings lies in providing healthcare professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the potential impacts of the virus on different organ systems. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of these complications, making it a subject for further investigation. Complications Linked to COVID-19 Healthcare practitioners are urged to monitor COVID-19 patients for these complications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive follow-up examinations to detect potential long-term effects.
If individuals experience health challenges post-COVID-19 infection or develop new symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation is recommended.
Source Just How Common Are the ‘Rare’ Complications of COVID-19?