ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several gastrointestinal complications have been reported in patients with COVID-19, including motility disorders, such as acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO). This affection is characterized by colonic distention in the absence of mechanical obstruction. ACPO in the context of severe COVID-19 may be related to neurotropism and direct damage of SARS-CoV-2 in enterocytes. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were hospitalized for critical COVID-19 and developed ACPO between March 2020 and September 2021. The diagnostic criteria to define ACPO was the presence of 2 or more of the following: abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and changes in the bowel movements, associated with distension of the colon in computed tomography. Data of sex, age, past medical history, treatment, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Five patients were detected. All required admission to the Intensive Care Unit. The ACPO syndrome developed with a mean of 33.8 days from the onset of symptoms. The mean duration of the ACPO syndrome was 24.6 days. The treatment included colonic decompression with placement of rectal and nasogastric tubes, endoscopy decompression in two patients, bowel rest, fluid, and electrolytes replacement. One patient died. The remaining resolved the gastrointestinal symptoms without surgery. CONCLUSIONS: ACPO is an infrequent complication in patients with COVID-19. It occurs especially in patients with critical condition, who require prolonged stays in intensive care and multiple pharmacological treatments. It is important to recognize its presence early and thus establish an appropriate treatment, since the risk of complications is high.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction , Humans , Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction/diagnostic imaging , Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction/etiology , Argentina/epidemiology , Retrospective Studies , COVID-19/complications , SARS-CoV-2 , SyndromeABSTRACT
En la sociedad del conocimiento la calidad de la educación superior está íntimamente asociada con la práctica de la investigación. Se reconoce que trabajar en una universidad no es sólo enseñar. La investigación universitaria brinda prestigio a la institución. La relación entre docencia e investigación es inherente al desempeño académico en la universidad. La inclinación hacia la docencia o la investigación depende, en muchas ocasiones, del financiamiento del proyecto de investigación.
In the modern society, quality of higher education is closely linked to research activity. It is well established that college work goes beyond teaching. College research enhances the institutions reputation. The link between research and teaching is vital for academic performance in college. Bias towards one or other depends largely on research funding.
