Frequency of Diarrhea in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Background: Although respiratory manifestations dominate COVID-19 presentations, gastrointestinal involvement, particularly diarrhea, has gained increasing attention. Understanding the frequency and clinical significance of this condition is crucial for managing patients.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency, duration and clinical associations of diarrhea among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the COVID-19 Units of BMU and DMCH between June 2020 and May 2021. A total of 140 RT-PCR-confirmed symptomatic patients aged ≥18 years were included. Clinical features, laboratory parameters and comorbidities were recorded using structured questionnaires and medical record reviews. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v25.0. The significance level was set at p≤0.05.
Results: Diarrhea was reported in 29.3% of patients, with a mean duration of 5.28 ± 1.46 days. The majority (53.6%) experienced diarrhea lasting 4–5 days. Patients aged ≥50 years had a significantly higher prevalence of diarrhea (87.8%, p=0.015). Diarrhea was more frequent in severe cases (61.0%) than in moderate (29.2%) and mild (9.8%) disease (p=0.001). No significant associations were observed between sex, BMI, smoking, or antibiotic/antiviral use.
Conclusion: Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal manifestation of COVID-19 and is strongly associated with older age and severe disease. Therefore, it should be recognized as a potential prognostic marker to guide clinical decision-making.