COVID-19 survivors at high risk of subsequent IBS

Individuals who have contracted COVID-19 at increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with those who have not been infected, as reported in a study.

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies to estimate the burden of post-COVID-19 functional dyspepsia (FD) and IBS. Multiple online databases were searched for relevant studies.

The initial search yielded 2,057 records, of which 10 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The total population consisted of 2,763 patients with COVID-19 (69.1 percent) and 1,235 noninfected controls (30.9 percent). The median age of the participants ranged from 29 to 68 years, and the proportion of women included in the studies ranged from 27.1 percent to 70 percent.

Two studies had FD and/or IBS criteria applied after a follow-up of <6 months, five studies after a follow-up of 6 months, and three studies after a follow-up of >6 months. 

Four studies that involved 1,199 COVID-19 patients were considered for FD. Post-COVID-19 FD occurred in 72 patients (4 percent, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 3–5; I²=0 percent). Pooled data from three studies showed that COVID-19 survivors were not at increased risk of FD compared with controls (odds ratio [OR], 8.07, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.84–77.87; p=0.071; I²=67.9 percent).

Meanwhile, 10 studies that included 2,763 COVID-19 patients were considered for IBS. Post-COVID-19 IBS occurred in 195 patients (12 percent, 95 percent CI, 8–16; I²=95.6 percent).

Pooled data from four studies showed that COVID-19 infection was associated with greater odds of developing subsequent IBS (OR, 6.27, 95 percent CI, 0.88–44.76; p=0.067; I²=81.4 percent). Results were consistent when only three studies with a prospective COVID-19 cohort were considered (OR, 12.92, 95 percent CI, 3.58–46.60; p<0.001; I²=0 percent).