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Review
. 2023 Jan 26;11(3):493-505.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i3.493.

Non-pulmonary involvement in COVID-19: A systemic disease rather than a pure respiratory infection

Mohamed El-Kassas  1 , Mohamed Alboraie  2 , Mohamed Elbadry  1 , Reem El Sheemy  3 , Mohamed Abdellah  2 , Shimaa Afify  4 , Ahmad Madkour  1 , Mariam Zaghloul  5 , Abeer Awad  6 , Mohamed-Naguib Wifi  7 , Amira Al Balakosy  8 , Mohamed Eltabbakh  8
Affiliations
Review

Non-pulmonary involvement in COVID-19: A systemic disease rather than a pure respiratory infection

Mohamed El-Kassas et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

During the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), diagnosis was difficult due to the diversity in symptoms and imaging findings and the variability of disease presentation. Pulmonary manifestations are reportedly the main clinical presentations of COVID-19 patients. Scientists are working hard on a myriad of clinical, epidemiological, and biological aspects to better understand SARS-CoV-2 infection, aiming to mitigate the ongoing disaster. Many reports have documented the involvement of various body systems and organs apart from the respiratory tract including the gastrointestinal, liver, immune system, renal, and neurological systems. Such involvement will result in diverse presentations related to effects on these systems. Other presentations such as coagulation defects and cutaneous manifestation may also occur. Patients with specific comorbidities including obesity, diabetes, and hypertension have increased morbidity and mortality risks with COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Clinical manifestations; Extrapulmonary; Non-pulmonary; Systemic disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summarizes non-pulmonary involvement in coronavirus disease 2019. GI: Gastrointestinal; COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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