COVID-19-associated nausea and vomiting: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes severe acute respiratory syndrome but may also present with gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. It invades through the Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2 receptors present abundantly not only in the lungs but also in the enterocytes of the small intestine. Nausea and vomiting are the less common gastrointestinal symptoms seen. Anorexia and diarrhea are more common.
SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes severe acute respiratory syndrome but may also present with [[gastrointestinal]] [[symptoms]] like [[diarrhea]]. It invades through the [[angiotensin-converting enzyme 2]] (ACE2) and the serine [[protease]] TMPRSS2 receptors present abundantly not only in the [[lungs]] but also in the [[enterocytes]] of the [[small intestine]]. [[Nausea and vomiting]] are the less common [[gastrointestinal]] [[symptoms]] seen. [[Anorexia]] and [[diarrhea]] are more common.


==Historical Perspective==
==Historical Perspective==


* The etiological agent is SARS-CoV-2, named for the similarity of its symptoms to those induced by the [[severe acute respiratory syndrome]], causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a [[virus]] identified as the cause of an outbreak of [[respiratory illness]] first detected in Wuhan, China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="LuCui2020">{{cite journal|last1=Lu|first1=Jian|last2=Cui|first2=Jie|last3=Qian|first3=Zhaohui|last4=Wang|first4=Yirong|last5=Zhang|first5=Hong|last6=Duan|first6=Yuange|last7=Wu|first7=Xinkai|last8=Yao|first8=Xinmin|last9=Song|first9=Yuhe|last10=Li|first10=Xiang|last11=Wu|first11=Changcheng|last12=Tang|first12=Xiaolu|title=On the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2|journal=National Science Review|year=2020|issn=2095-5138|doi=10.1093/nsr/nwaa036}}</ref>
* The etiological agent is SARS-CoV-2, named for the similarity of its symptoms to those induced by the [[severe acute respiratory syndrome]], causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a [[virus]] identified as the cause of an outbreak of [[respiratory illness]] first detected in Wuhan, China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="LuCui2020">{{cite journal|last1=Lu|first1=Jian|last2=Cui|first2=Jie|last3=Qian|first3=Zhaohui|last4=Wang|first4=Yirong|last5=Zhang|first5=Hong|last6=Duan|first6=Yuange|last7=Wu|first7=Xinkai|last8=Yao|first8=Xinmin|last9=Song|first9=Yuhe|last10=Li|first10=Xiang|last11=Wu|first11=Changcheng|last12=Tang|first12=Xiaolu|title=On the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2|journal=National Science Review|year=2020|issn=2095-5138|doi=10.1093/nsr/nwaa036}}</ref>
*The growing number of [[patients]] however, suggest that human-to-human transmission is actively occurring.<ref name="HuangWang2020">{{cite journal|last1=Huang|first1=Chaolin|last2=Wang|first2=Yeming|last3=Li|first3=Xingwang|last4=Ren|first4=Lili|last5=Zhao|first5=Jianping|last6=Hu|first6=Yi|last7=Zhang|first7=Li|last8=Fan|first8=Guohui|last9=Xu|first9=Jiuyang|last10=Gu|first10=Xiaoying|last11=Cheng|first11=Zhenshun|last12=Yu|first12=Ting|last13=Xia|first13=Jiaan|last14=Wei|first14=Yuan|last15=Wu|first15=Wenjuan|last16=Xie|first16=Xuelei|last17=Yin|first17=Wen|last18=Li|first18=Hui|last19=Liu|first19=Min|last20=Xiao|first20=Yan|last21=Gao|first21=Hong|last22=Guo|first22=Li|last23=Xie|first23=Jungang|last24=Wang|first24=Guangfa|last25=Jiang|first25=Rongmeng|last26=Gao|first26=Zhancheng|last27=Jin|first27=Qi|last28=Wang|first28=Jianwei|last29=Cao|first29=Bin|title=Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China|journal=The Lancet|volume=395|issue=10223|year=2020|pages=497–506|issn=01406736|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*The growing number of [[patients]] however, suggest that human-to-human [[transmission]] is actively occurring.<ref name="HuangWang2020">{{cite journal|last1=Huang|first1=Chaolin|last2=Wang|first2=Yeming|last3=Li|first3=Xingwang|last4=Ren|first4=Lili|last5=Zhao|first5=Jianping|last6=Hu|first6=Yi|last7=Zhang|first7=Li|last8=Fan|first8=Guohui|last9=Xu|first9=Jiuyang|last10=Gu|first10=Xiaoying|last11=Cheng|first11=Zhenshun|last12=Yu|first12=Ting|last13=Xia|first13=Jiaan|last14=Wei|first14=Yuan|last15=Wu|first15=Wenjuan|last16=Xie|first16=Xuelei|last17=Yin|first17=Wen|last18=Li|first18=Hui|last19=Liu|first19=Min|last20=Xiao|first20=Yan|last21=Gao|first21=Hong|last22=Guo|first22=Li|last23=Xie|first23=Jungang|last24=Wang|first24=Guangfa|last25=Jiang|first25=Rongmeng|last26=Gao|first26=Zhancheng|last27=Jin|first27=Qi|last28=Wang|first28=Jianwei|last29=Cao|first29=Bin|title=Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China|journal=The Lancet|volume=395|issue=10223|year=2020|pages=497–506|issn=01406736|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>
*The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020.
*The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020.
*On March 12, 2020, the [[World Health Organization]] declared the COVID-19 outbreak a [[pandemic]].
*On March 12, 2020, the [[World Health Organization]] declared the COVID-19 outbreak a [[pandemic]].
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==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
*SARS-CoV-2 uses the [[Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2]] (ACE2) and the [[serine protease]] [[TMPRSS2]] receptors for cell entry. These receptors are presently abundantly not only in the [[Lung|lungs]] but also in the [[Enterocyte|enterocytes]] of the [[small intestine]]. Other sites of expression of the receptors in the gastrointestinal tract are-the upper [[esophagus]], [[liver]], and [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]].<ref name="pmid32278065">{{cite journal| author=D'Amico F, Baumgart DC, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L| title=Diarrhea During COVID-19 Infection: Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management. | journal=Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32278065 | doi=10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.001 | pmc=7141637 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32278065  }} </ref><ref name="pmid32102928">{{cite journal| author=Liang W, Feng Z, Rao S, Xiao C, Xue X, Lin Z | display-authors=etal| title=Diarrhoea may be underestimated: a missing link in 2019 novel coronavirus. | journal=Gut | year= 2020 | volume= 69 | issue= 6 | pages= 1141-1143 | pmid=32102928 | doi=10.1136/gutjnl-2020-320832 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32102928  }} </ref>
*SARS-CoV-2 uses the [[Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2]] (ACE2) and the [[serine protease]] [[TMPRSS2]] [[receptors]] for cell entry. These receptors are presently abundantly not only in the [[Lung|lungs]] but also in the [[Enterocyte|enterocytes]] of the [[small intestine]]. Other sites of expression of the [[receptors]] in the gastrointestinal tract are-the upper [[esophagus]], [[liver]], and [[Colon (anatomy)|colon]].<ref name="pmid32278065">{{cite journal| author=D'Amico F, Baumgart DC, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L| title=Diarrhea During COVID-19 Infection: Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management. | journal=Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32278065 | doi=10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.001 | pmc=7141637 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32278065  }} </ref><ref name="pmid32102928">{{cite journal| author=Liang W, Feng Z, Rao S, Xiao C, Xue X, Lin Z | display-authors=etal| title=Diarrhoea may be underestimated: a missing link in 2019 novel coronavirus. | journal=Gut | year= 2020 | volume= 69 | issue= 6 | pages= 1141-1143 | pmid=32102928 | doi=10.1136/gutjnl-2020-320832 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32102928  }} </ref>
*Entry of the virus causes disruption of the [[Enterocyte|enterocytes]] and may lead to inflammation and alteration of [[Intestine|intestinal]] [[permeability]].
*Entry of the virus causes disruption of the [[Enterocyte|enterocytes]] and may lead to [[inflammation]] and alteration of [[Intestine|intestinal]] [[permeability]].
* The gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 are thought to arise due to the invasion of enterocytes.<ref name="pmid32376697">{{cite journal| author=Wahba L, Jain N, Fire AZ, Shoura MJ, Artiles KL, McCoy MJ | display-authors=etal| title=An Extensive Meta-Metagenomic Search Identifies SARS-CoV-2-Homologous Sequences in Pangolin Lung Viromes. | journal=mSphere | year= 2020 | volume= 5 | issue= 3 | pages=  | pmid=32376697 | doi=10.1128/mSphere.00160-20 | pmc=7203451 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32376697  }} </ref>
* The [[gastrointestinal]] [[symptoms]] of COVID-19 are thought to arise due to the invasion of [[enterocytes]].<ref name="pmid32376697">{{cite journal| author=Wahba L, Jain N, Fire AZ, Shoura MJ, Artiles KL, McCoy MJ | display-authors=etal| title=An Extensive Meta-Metagenomic Search Identifies SARS-CoV-2-Homologous Sequences in Pangolin Lung Viromes. | journal=mSphere | year= 2020 | volume= 5 | issue= 3 | pages=  | pmid=32376697 | doi=10.1128/mSphere.00160-20 | pmc=7203451 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32376697  }} </ref>


==Causes==
==Causes==
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COVID-19 associated nausea and vomiting must be differentiated from other diseases that cause nausea and vomiting in a hospitalized patient inlclude:
COVID-19 associated nausea and vomiting must be differentiated from other diseases that cause nausea and vomiting in a hospitalized patient inlclude:
*[[Medication]]-induced [[nausea and vomiting]]
*[[Medication]]-induced [[nausea and vomiting]]
*Food poisoning
*[[Food poisoning]]
*Gastroenteritis- [[viral]] or [[bacterial]]  
*Gastroenteritis ([[viral]] or [[bacterial]])
*[[Migraine]]
*[[Migraine]]
*Indigestion
*Indigestion
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==Epidemiology and Demographics==
==Epidemiology and Demographics==
*According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of nausea in COVID-19 patients was 26%.<ref name="pmid32333911">{{cite journal| author=Redd WD, Zhou JC, Hathorn KE, McCarty TR, Bazarbashi AN, Thompson CC | display-authors=etal| title=Prevalence and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the United States: A Multicenter Cohort Study. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32333911 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.045 | pmc=7195377 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32333911  }} </ref>
*According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of [[nausea]] in COVID-19 patients was 26%.<ref name="pmid32333911">{{cite journal| author=Redd WD, Zhou JC, Hathorn KE, McCarty TR, Bazarbashi AN, Thompson CC | display-authors=etal| title=Prevalence and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the United States: A Multicenter Cohort Study. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32333911 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.045 | pmc=7195377 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32333911  }} </ref>
The more common GI symptoms were-
The more common GI symptoms were-
*[[Anorexia]]- 35 %
*[[Anorexia]]- 35 %
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==Risk Factors==
==Risk Factors==
Some gastrointestinal factors may predispose patients to infection with COVID-19. Common [[risk factors]] in the development of nausea and vomiting include:<ref name="pmid32425234">{{cite journal| author=Brenner EJ, Ungaro RC, Gearry RB, Kaplan GG, Kissous-Hunt M, Lewis JD | display-authors=etal| title=Corticosteroids, but not TNF Antagonists, are Associated with Adverse COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Results from an International Registry. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32425234 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.032 | pmc=7233252 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32425234  }} </ref>
Some [[Gastrointestinal|gastrointestina]]<nowiki/>l factors may predispose patients to infection with COVID-19. Common [[risk factors]] in the development of nausea and vomiting include:<ref name="pmid32425234">{{cite journal| author=Brenner EJ, Ungaro RC, Gearry RB, Kaplan GG, Kissous-Hunt M, Lewis JD | display-authors=etal| title=Corticosteroids, but not TNF Antagonists, are Associated with Adverse COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Results from an International Registry. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32425234 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.032 | pmc=7233252 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32425234  }} </ref>


*[[Inflammatory bowel disease]] patients- due to use to [[glucocorticoids]], but not [[TNF-alpha|TNF-alpha inhibitors]]  
*[[Inflammatory bowel disease]] patients- due to use to [[glucocorticoids]], but not [[TNF-alpha|TNF-alpha inhibitors]]  
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==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
===Diagnostic Study of Choice===
===Diagnostic Study of Choice===
* COVID-19 nausea and vomiting can be diagnosed based on the history of the same and other gastrointestinal symptoms like anorexia, diarrhea and a positive [[Human feces|stool]] test for SARS-CoV-2
* COVID-19 nausea and vomiting can be diagnosed based on the history of the same and other gastrointestinal symptoms like [[anorexia]], [[diarrhea]] and a positive [[Human feces|stool]] test for SARS-CoV-2
* There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.
* There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.


===History and Symptoms===
===History and Symptoms===
*According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of nausea in COVID-19 patients was 26%. <ref name="pmid32333911">{{cite journal| author=Redd WD, Zhou JC, Hathorn KE, McCarty TR, Bazarbashi AN, Thompson CC | display-authors=etal| title=Prevalence and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the United States: A Multicenter Cohort Study. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32333911 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.045 | pmc=7195377 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32333911  }} </ref>
*According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of nausea in COVID-19 patients was 26%. The more common GI [[symptoms]] include following:<ref name="pmid32333911">{{cite journal| author=Redd WD, Zhou JC, Hathorn KE, McCarty TR, Bazarbashi AN, Thompson CC | display-authors=etal| title=Prevalence and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the United States: A Multicenter Cohort Study. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume=  | issue=  | pages=  | pmid=32333911 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.045 | pmc=7195377 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32333911  }} </ref>


The more common GI symptoms include following:
*Anorexia- 35 %
*Anorexia- 35 %
*Diarrhea- 34 %  
*Diarrhea- 34 %  


* Another study by Luo et al reported that 16% of patients presented with GI symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting without any respiratory symptoms. <ref name="pmid32205220">{{cite journal| author=Luo S, Zhang X, Xu H| title=Don't Overlook Digestive Symptoms in Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). | journal=Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol | year= 2020 | volume= 18 | issue= 7 | pages= 1636-1637 | pmid=32205220 | doi=10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.043 | pmc=7154217 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32205220  }} </ref>
* Another study by Luo et al reported that 16% of patients presented with GI symptoms like [[diarrhea]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]] without any respiratory symptoms. <ref name="pmid32205220">{{cite journal| author=Luo S, Zhang X, Xu H| title=Don't Overlook Digestive Symptoms in Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). | journal=Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol | year= 2020 | volume= 18 | issue= 7 | pages= 1636-1637 | pmid=32205220 | doi=10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.043 | pmc=7154217 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32205220  }} </ref>


===Physical Examination===
===Physical Examination===
Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 usually appear listless. Physical examination of patients is non-specific.
Patients with [[gastrointestinal]] [[symptoms]] of COVID-19 usually appear listless. Physical examination of patients is non-specific.


===Laboratory Findings===
===Laboratory Findings===
* Infectious [[virions]] released from the GI tract can be monitored by real-time [[Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction|reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction]] (rRT-PCR).
* Infectious [[virions]] released from the GI tract can be monitored by real-time [[Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction|reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction]] (rRT-PCR).
* A study by Xiao et al assessed the clinical significance of measuring [[SARS-CoV-2]] RNA in the feces. The fecal test remained positive until 12 days after the disease onset in patients with diarrhea.<ref name="pmid32142773">{{cite journal| author=Xiao F, Tang M, Zheng X, Liu Y, Li X, Shan H| title=Evidence for Gastrointestinal Infection of SARS-CoV-2. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume= 158 | issue= 6 | pages= 1831-1833.e3 | pmid=32142773 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.055 | pmc=7130181 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32142773  }} </ref>
* A study by Xiao et al assessed the clinical significance of measuring [[SARS-CoV-2]] RNA in the feces. The fecal test remained positive until 12 days after the disease onset in patients with diarrhea.<ref name="pmid32142773">{{cite journal| author=Xiao F, Tang M, Zheng X, Liu Y, Li X, Shan H| title=Evidence for Gastrointestinal Infection of SARS-CoV-2. | journal=Gastroenterology | year= 2020 | volume= 158 | issue= 6 | pages= 1831-1833.e3 | pmid=32142773 | doi=10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.055 | pmc=7130181 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=32142773  }} </ref>
* Notably, stool test for [[RNA|viral RNA]] remained positive despite negative respiratory tests. This suggests the possibility of gastrointestinal transmission via the fecal-oral route despite clearance from the respiratory tract.
* Notably, stool test for [[RNA|viral RNA]] remained positive despite negative respiratory tests. This suggests the possibility of [[gastrointestinal]] [[transmission]] via the [[fecal-oral route]] despite clearance from the respiratory tract.
* It was recommended [[Transmission (medicine)|transmission]]-based precautions for hospitalized COVID-19 patients should be continued till the rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 turns negative.
* It was recommended [[Transmission (medicine)|transmission]]-based precautions for hospitalized COVID-19 patients should be continued till the rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 turns negative.



Revision as of 01:11, 15 July 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ifrah Fatima, M.B.B.S[2]

Synonyms and keywords:

Overview

SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes severe acute respiratory syndrome but may also present with gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea. It invades through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the serine protease TMPRSS2 receptors present abundantly not only in the lungs but also in the enterocytes of the small intestine. Nausea and vomiting are the less common gastrointestinal symptoms seen. Anorexia and diarrhea are more common.

Historical Perspective

Classification

There is no established system for the classification of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

Pathophysiology

Causes

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 and is the cause of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 infection.

To view causes of COVID-19, click here.

Differentiating COVID-19 associated nausea and vomiting from other Diseases

COVID-19 associated nausea and vomiting must be differentiated from other diseases that cause nausea and vomiting in a hospitalized patient inlclude:

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of nausea in COVID-19 patients was 26%.[8]

The more common GI symptoms were-

Risk Factors

Some gastrointestinal factors may predispose patients to infection with COVID-19. Common risk factors in the development of nausea and vomiting include:[10]

Screening

  • There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening.
  • To view screening for COVID-19, click here.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

  • COVID-19 nausea and vomiting can be diagnosed based on the history of the same and other gastrointestinal symptoms like anorexia, diarrhea and a positive stool test for SARS-CoV-2
  • There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

History and Symptoms

  • According to a study by Redd et al, the prevalence of nausea in COVID-19 patients was 26%. The more common GI symptoms include following:[8]
  • Anorexia- 35 %
  • Diarrhea- 34 %
  • Another study by Luo et al reported that 16% of patients presented with GI symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting without any respiratory symptoms. [9]

Physical Examination

Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 usually appear listless. Physical examination of patients is non-specific.

Laboratory Findings

  • Infectious virions released from the GI tract can be monitored by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR).
  • A study by Xiao et al assessed the clinical significance of measuring SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the feces. The fecal test remained positive until 12 days after the disease onset in patients with diarrhea.[11]
  • Notably, stool test for viral RNA remained positive despite negative respiratory tests. This suggests the possibility of gastrointestinal transmission via the fecal-oral route despite clearance from the respiratory tract.
  • It was recommended transmission-based precautions for hospitalized COVID-19 patients should be continued till the rRT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 turns negative.

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

X-ray

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

CT scan

There are no CT scan findings associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

MRI

There are no MRI findings associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

Other Diagnostic Studies

There are no other diagnostic studies associated with nausea and vomiting in COVID-19.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

There are no available vaccines against COVID-19 as of now, but several vaccines are under development and in trials. Effective measures for primary prevention include the following:

  • Use of face masks
  • Frequent hand hygiene (alcohol-based disinfectants or soap and water)
  • Travel restrictions
  • Social distancing
  • Avoiding contact with infected patients

Prevention of transmission through gastrointenstinal tract

  • Presence of the virus in the stool raises suspicion for fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2
  • Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used while handling sources of contamination like feces.
  • Elective appointments and endoscopies should be rescheduled and extreme care must be taken by health care professionals of the endoscopy units to avoid spreading the virus from one patient to another. [13]
  • Patients listed for fecal microbiota transplantation and donors should be screened for the SARS-CoV-2.

References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. Lu, Jian; Cui, Jie; Qian, Zhaohui; Wang, Yirong; Zhang, Hong; Duan, Yuange; Wu, Xinkai; Yao, Xinmin; Song, Yuhe; Li, Xiang; Wu, Changcheng; Tang, Xiaolu (2020). "On the origin and continuing evolution of SARS-CoV-2". National Science Review. doi:10.1093/nsr/nwaa036. ISSN 2095-5138.
  3. Huang, Chaolin; Wang, Yeming; Li, Xingwang; Ren, Lili; Zhao, Jianping; Hu, Yi; Zhang, Li; Fan, Guohui; Xu, Jiuyang; Gu, Xiaoying; Cheng, Zhenshun; Yu, Ting; Xia, Jiaan; Wei, Yuan; Wu, Wenjuan; Xie, Xuelei; Yin, Wen; Li, Hui; Liu, Min; Xiao, Yan; Gao, Hong; Guo, Li; Xie, Jungang; Wang, Guangfa; Jiang, Rongmeng; Gao, Zhancheng; Jin, Qi; Wang, Jianwei; Cao, Bin (2020). "Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China". The Lancet. 395 (10223): 497–506. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5. ISSN 0140-6736.
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. D'Amico F, Baumgart DC, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L (2020). "Diarrhea During COVID-19 Infection: Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management". Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.001. PMC 7141637 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32278065 Check |pmid= value (help).
  6. Liang W, Feng Z, Rao S, Xiao C, Xue X, Lin Z; et al. (2020). "Diarrhoea may be underestimated: a missing link in 2019 novel coronavirus". Gut. 69 (6): 1141–1143. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2020-320832. PMID 32102928 Check |pmid= value (help).
  7. Wahba L, Jain N, Fire AZ, Shoura MJ, Artiles KL, McCoy MJ; et al. (2020). "An Extensive Meta-Metagenomic Search Identifies SARS-CoV-2-Homologous Sequences in Pangolin Lung Viromes". mSphere. 5 (3). doi:10.1128/mSphere.00160-20. PMC 7203451 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32376697 Check |pmid= value (help).
  8. 8.0 8.1 Redd WD, Zhou JC, Hathorn KE, McCarty TR, Bazarbashi AN, Thompson CC; et al. (2020). "Prevalence and Characteristics of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the United States: A Multicenter Cohort Study". Gastroenterology. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.04.045. PMC 7195377 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32333911 Check |pmid= value (help).
  9. 9.0 9.1 Luo S, Zhang X, Xu H (2020). "Don't Overlook Digestive Symptoms in Patients With 2019 Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)". Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 18 (7): 1636–1637. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.043. PMC 7154217 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32205220 Check |pmid= value (help).
  10. Brenner EJ, Ungaro RC, Gearry RB, Kaplan GG, Kissous-Hunt M, Lewis JD; et al. (2020). "Corticosteroids, but not TNF Antagonists, are Associated with Adverse COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Results from an International Registry". Gastroenterology. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.05.032. PMC 7233252 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32425234 Check |pmid= value (help).
  11. Xiao F, Tang M, Zheng X, Liu Y, Li X, Shan H (2020). "Evidence for Gastrointestinal Infection of SARS-CoV-2". Gastroenterology. 158 (6): 1831–1833.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2020.02.055. PMC 7130181 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32142773 Check |pmid= value (help).
  12. Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, Ren L, Zhao J, Hu Y, Zhang L, Fan G, Xu J, Gu X, Cheng Z, Yu T, Xia J, Wei Y, Wu W, Xie X, Yin W, Li H, Liu M, Xiao Y, Gao H, Guo L, Xie J, Wang G, Jiang R, Gao Z, Jin Q, Wang J, Cao B (January 2020). "Clinical features of patients infected with 2019 novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China". Lancet. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30183-5. PMID 31986264.
  13. Ungaro RC, Sullivan T, Colombel JF, Patel G (2020). "What Should Gastroenterologists and Patients Know About COVID-19?". Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 18 (7): 1409–1411. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.020. PMC 7156804 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32197957 Check |pmid= value (help).


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