Extrapulmonary complications of COVID‐19: A multisystem disease?

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), has been recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. In addition to its acute respiratory manifestations, SARS‐CoV‐2 may also adversely affect other organ systems. To date, however, there is a very limited understanding of the extent and management of COVID‐19‐related conditions outside of the pulmonary system. This narrative review provides an overview of the current literature about the extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID‐19 that may affect the urinary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematological, hematopoietic, neurological, or reproductive systems. This review also describes the current understanding of the extrapulmonary complications caused by COVID‐19 to improve the management and prognosis of patients with COVID‐19. Highlights SARS‐CoV‐2 appears to adversely affect not only the respiratory system but also several other organ systems, including the urinary, cardiovascular, GI, and neurological systems. To date, however, there is very limited understanding of the extent and management of COVID‐19‐related conditions outside of the pulmonary system. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms linking SARS‐CoV‐2 with the occurrence of multiple extra‐pulmonary complications.