Risk Factors Associated with COVID-19 and Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Older Adult Patients

Aims: To establish the association of gastrointestinal symptoms and possible risk factors with COVID-19 in older adults. Study Design: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective study was designed using secondary sources, with a quantitative approach and non-probability convenience sampling. Place and Duration of Study: The study included a population of 312 records of individuals aged 18 and over with COVID-19. The population was divided into two groups: one consisting of individuals aged 18 to 59 and the other of individuals aged 60 and over. Methodology: Possible risk factors and gastrointestinal manifestations associated with COVID-19 in older adults were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: In older adults, the main gastrointestinal manifestation was diarrhea (OR=2.086, 95% CI 1.007-4.322, p=0.048). The risk of COVID-19 increased in older adults with type 2 diabetes (OR=2.053, 95% CI 1.149-3.671, p=0.015), hypertension (OR=2.34, 95% CI 1.191-4.596, p=0.014), and respiratory diseases (OR=8.049, 95% CI 1.913-33.868, p=0.004). Conclusion: In older adults, diarrhea is a symptom associated with COVID-19, and the primary risk factors were diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory diseases.