To explore the digestive system damage and mental health features of patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Guangzhou.

The clinical data of 123 patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital from January 25, 2020 to February 20, 2020 were collected, and 85 healthy controls were selected at the same time. The differences of digestive tract symptoms and the characteristics of liver injury among common (n=87) and severe and critical patients (n=36)were compared. The time-effect relationship of digestive tract damage was evaluated, and the main symptoms were analyzed by multivariate analysis. The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were evaluated and compared between some patients (85 cases) and healthy control group (85 cases).

Among the general symptoms, fever and cough were the most common symptoms [112 patients (91.06%) and 94 patients (76.42%), respectively]. In terms of accompany digestive tract symptoms, anorexia was the most common symptom (55 patients, 44.72%), followed by diarrhea (23 patients, 18.70%). A total of 2 patients (1.63%) with the first clinical manifestation of digestive system symptoms. Among severe and critical patients, the numbers of patients with anorexia [28 patients(77.78%)] and abdominal pain [5 patients(13.89%)] were more than those in the common group [27 patients (31.03%), 2 patients (2.30%)], the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The symptoms of diarrhea were significantly relieved 1-4 days later, (2.69±0.87)days on average, while the anorexia lasted for 5-15 days, with an average of (9.67±2.54) days. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [36.60(19.57, 57.50)] and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [39.70(22.40, 61.75)] levels of severe and critical patients were significantly higher than those of common group [20.50(12.70, 27.88), 18.80 (13.40, 22.90)](Z=-3.91, -5.36, all P<0.05), while albumin (ALB) level was significantly lower than that of common group [33.35(30.02, 35.30), 38.10(34.90, 39.90)] (Z=-5.61, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that oxygenation index (OR=0.99, 95%CI: 0.98-0.99), anxiety or depression (OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.03-0.97) had significant influence on anorexia (all P<0.05). The incidences of anxiety [28(32.94%)], depression [29(34.12%)] and sleep disorder [40(47.06%)] in patients infected by COVID-19 were significantly higher than those in healthy control group [9(10.59%), 8(9.41%), 10(11.76%)], the differences were significant (χ²=12.47, 15.23, 25.50, all P<0.05).

Anorexia was the most common digestive tract symptom in COVID-19 patients. Some COVID-19 patients may be accompanied by anxiety, depression or sleep disorders, and oxygenation index, anxiety or depression are important influencing factors of anorexia.