Smith College

Patients with digestive diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or gastrointestinal cancer are at a higher risk to experience more severe symptoms of COVID-19. Autopsy studies are important in understanding how COVID-19 affects the digestive system. More data needs to be collected to determine the exact relationship between digestive diseases and COVID-19. 

Digestive Diseases as a Comorbidity of COVID-19

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, endoscopy procedures that pertain to IBD have much more stringent requirements and safety protocols in place. Unfortunately, many patients who suffer from IBD are at an elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 due to treatments associated with the disorder. Additionally, endoscopy can be classified as a high risk mode of transmission due to the high risk of aerosol generating actions from patients, such as coughing or gagging.

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