Prevalence and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in COVID-19 presents challenges in patient management. Existing studies lack comprehensive review due to varied designs, samples, and demographics. A meta-analysis can provide valuable insights into the incidence, features, and outcomes of UGIB in COVID-19. A comprehensive literature search was carried out using several databases. We considered all appropriate observational studies from all over the world. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were produced to report the overall effect size using random effect models. Besides, Random effects models were used to calculate the overall pooled prevalence. Funnel plots, Egger regression tests, and Begg-Mazumdar's rank correlation test were used to appraise publication bias. Data from 21 articles consisting of 26,933 COVID-19 patients were considered. The pooled estimate of UGIB prevalence in patients admitted with COVID-19 across studies was 2.10% (95% CI, 1.23-3.13). Similarly, the overall pooled estimate for severity, mortality, and rebleeding in COVID-19 patients with UGIB was 55% (95% CI, 37.01-72.68), 29% (95% CI, 19.26-40.20) and 12.7% (95% CI, 7.88-18.42) respectively. Further, UGIB in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of severity (OR = 3.52, 95% CI 1.80-6.88, P = 0.001) and mortality (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.33-3.51, P = 0.002) compared with patients without UGIB. No significant publication bias was evident in the meta-analysis. The results of our study indicate that UGIB in individuals with COVID-19 is linked to negative outcomes such as severe illness, higher mortality rates, and an increased risk of re-bleeding. These findings highlight the significance of identifying UGIB as a significant complication in COVID-19 cases and emphasise the importance of timely clinical assessment and proper treatment.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with pre-existing celiac disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

There is a scarcity of scientific evidence addressing the outcomes of COVID-19 in celiac disease (CD) patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the correlation between pre-existing CD and COVID-19. A rigorous literature search was conducted using multiple databases. All eligible observational studies were included from around the globe. The random effect model calculated the pooled prevalence and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios were produced to report the overall effect size using random effect models for severity and mortality outcomes. Funnel plots, Egger regression tests, and Begg-Mazumdar's rank correlation test were used to appraise publication bias. Data from 11 articles consisting of 44,378 CD patients were obtained. Overall pooled random-effects estimate of SARS-CoV-2 infection in CD patients was 4.25% (95% CI, I2  = 98%). Our findings also indicated that pre-existing CD was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation with COVID-19 illness (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.87-1.24, I2  = 0%) and mortality due to illness (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.56-1.5, I2  = 45%) compared with patients without pre-existing CD. No significant publication bias was evident in the meta-analysis. The preliminary data from our analysis suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with pre-existing CD is not associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation or mortality. Additional studies are required to overcome the restrictions of the limited data available at present.