COVID-19 News: Studies Show SARS-CoV-2 Infections Can Lead To Irritable Bowel Syndrome!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 03, 2024 3 months, 3 weeks, 5 days, 6 hours, 40 minutes ago
COVID-19 News: In recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted extensive research into its diverse effects on human health. Beyond the well-documented respiratory symptoms, emerging evidence suggests a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infections and gastrointestinal complications, specifically irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Conducted at the First Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, this study covered in this
COVID-19 News report, sought to systematically review and analyze the incidence of IBS following COVID-19, shedding light on potential predisposing factors.
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Irritable Bowes Syndrome or IBS
A previous coverage by Thailand
Medical News on a Greek study had also shown that COVID-19 infections can lead to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-greek-study-warns-that-sars-cov-2-infections-can-lead-to-development-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome-in-post-covid-phase
Methodology
To achieve a comprehensive overview, the research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, scouring electronic databases for relevant studies. The primary outcomes under scrutiny were the pooled incidence rate of IBS following COVID-19 and the relative risk (RR) for IBS in the COVID-19 group compared to the non-COVID-19 group. Additionally, the study delved into secondary outcomes, exploring the RR and standardized mean difference (SMD) for predisposing factors in the IBS group compared to the non-IBS group. Heterogeneity was assessed through Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics.
Findings
The study incorporated data from ten independent studies, revealing a pooled incidence rate of IBS in COVID-19 patients at 12%. Further classification indicated that IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), and mixed symptoms (IBS-M) accounted for 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. The incidence rates of IBS at 6 and 12 months post-COVID-19 were 10% and 3%.
Conclusion
The study's findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infections can lead to the incidence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS. The study also identified potential predisposing factors for IBS, including depression or anxiety and procalcitonin (PCT). Notably, the severity of COVID-19 symptoms did not significantly contribute to the development of IBS.
Implications
These findings provide valuable insights into the long-term gastrointestinal consequences of COVID-19, emphasizing the need for continued research to understand the intricate relationship between viral infections and gastrointestinal health. As we navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, a holistic approach to healthca
re that considers both respiratory and gastrointestinal repercussions is essential for comprehensive patient care.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
https://journals.lww.com/eurojgh/abstract/2024/02000/the_incidence_and_predisposing_factors_for.4.aspx
Earlier Study Also Showed Similar Findings
An earlier study conducted in the beginning of 2023 at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital in Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan also showed that SARS-CoV-2 Infections can lead to new onset of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The study involved a prospective evaluation of 303 COVID-19 hospitalized patients with no prior history of IBS. Following discharge, patients were followed up, and their symptoms were assessed according to the Rome-IV criteria for IBS.
Out of the 303 patients, 178 (58.7%) were male, with an age range of 17 to 95 years (mean ± SD: 55.9 ± 15.8). The severity of COVID-19 varied, with 64% having mild, 24.4% moderate, and 11.6% severe infection. Notably, 5.3% of patients experienced concomitant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during their COVID-19 infection. Post-COVID-19 IBS was identified in 10.6% of patients, with diarrhea-predominant, constipation-predominant, and mixed-type IBS observed.
Several risk factors were associated with post-COVID-19 IBS. Female patients showed a higher predisposition (P < 0.001), along with those experiencing concomitant GI symptoms during COVID-19 (P < 0.001), requiring oxygen therapy (P = 0.015), having deranged liver function tests (P = 0.002), and elevated procalcitonin (P = 0.013) and C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.035). Interestingly, a negative correlation was found with remdesivir treatment (P = 0.047).
After regression analysis, female sex (P < 0.001), oxygen requirement during hospitalization (P = 0.016), GI symptoms during COVID-19 (P < 0.001), and high procalcitonin levels (P = 0.017) emerged as independent factors associated with post-COVID-19 IBS.
While SARS-CoV-2 is primarily recognized as a respiratory pathogen, growing evidence indicates its impact on the gastrointestinal tract. The study emphasizes the prevalence of post-COVID-19 IBS, a known entity post-infectious enteritis, and explores potential correlations with the virus's specific features.
The study's strength lies in its real-life prospective design, adequate sample size, use of updated diagnostic criteria, and correlation with laboratory parameters and treatment modalities. However, limitations, including the absence of a control group and psychological assessments, underscore the need for further research.
That study findings were also published in the peer reviewed journal: European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
https://journals.lww.com/eurojgh/fulltext/2023/01000/incidence_and_predisposing_factors_for_de_novo.8.aspx
Numerous Other Studies Also Show That SARS-CoV-2 infections can lead to IBS.
A number of past published studies also validates that SARS-CoV-2 infections can lead to the development of IBS in the Post COVID phases.
https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v27/i43/7433.htm
https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(22)00601-2/fulltext
https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/11/1961
https://www.scielo.br/j/rcbc/a/DHRdQQBDBzNsVYNsJTCDg3B/
https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/clinmedicine/22/2/181
https://www.vallhebron.com/en/news/news/covid-19-infection-increases-risk-developing-irritable-bowel-syndrome-long-term
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/1865
https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/11/1961
https://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/global-literature-on-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov/resource/pt/covidwho-2114815
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/persisting-gastrointestinal-symptoms-and-postinfectious-irritable-bowel-syndrome-following-sarscov2-infection-results-from-the-arizona-covhort/4074EB44B26516F4680171554F6C9CC8
Conclusion
In conclusion, all these studies underscore the potential development of post-COVID-19 IBS, emphasizing the importance of post-discharge follow-up in identifying persistent GI symptoms. All these studies contribute valuable insights into the multifaceted consequences of COVID-19 and highlights the necessity for ongoing studies to validate these findings and explore potential interventions.
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COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
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