Faculty Collaboration Database

Prolonged Gastrointestinal Manifestations After Recovery From COVID-19. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024 May;22(5):1098-1107.e3

Date

11/24/2023

Pubmed ID

37995983

DOI

10.1016/j.cgh.2023.11.009

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85180336940 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Acute enteric infections are well known to result in long-term gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Although COVID-19 is principally a respiratory illness, it demonstrates significant GI tropism, possibly predisposing to prolonged gut manifestations. We aimed to examine the long-term GI impact of hospitalization with COVID-19.

METHODS: Nested within a large-scale observational cohort study of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 across North America, we performed a follow-up survey of 530 survivors 12-18 months later to assess for persistent GI symptoms and their severity, and for the development of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs). Eligible patients were identified at the study site level and surveyed electronically. The survey instrument included the Rome IV Diagnostic Questionnaire for DGBI, a rating scale of 24 COVID-related symptoms, the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale, and the Impact of Events-Revised trauma symptom questionnaire (a measure of posttraumatic stress associated with the illness experience). A regression analysis was performed to explore the factors associated with GI symptom severity at follow-up.

RESULTS: Of the 530 invited patients, 116 responded (52.6% females; mean age, 55.2 years), and 73 of those (60.3%) met criteria for 1 or more Rome IV DGBI at follow-up, higher than the prevalence in the US general population (P < .0001). Among patients who experienced COVID-related GI symptoms during the index hospitalization (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), 42.1% retained at least 1 of these symptoms at follow-up; in comparison, 89.8% of respondents retained any (GI or non-GI) COVID-related symptom. The number of moderate or severe GI symptoms experienced during the initial COVID-19 illness by self-report correlated with the development of DGBI and severity of GI symptoms at follow-up. Posttraumatic stress disorder (Impact of Events-Revised score ≥33) related to the COVID-19 illness experience was identified in 41.4% of respondents and those individuals had higher DGBI prevalence and GI symptom severity. Regression analysis revealed that higher psychological trauma score (Impact of Events-Revised) was the strongest predictor of GI symptom severity at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: In this follow-up survey of patients 12-18 months after hospitalization with COVID-19, there was a high prevalence of DGBIs and persistent GI symptoms. Prolonged GI manifestations were associated with the severity of GI symptoms during hospitalization and with the degree of psychological trauma related to the illness experience.

Author List

Elmunzer BJ, Palsson OS, Forbes N, Zakaria A, Davis C, Canakis A, Qayed E, Bick B, Pawa S, Tierney WM, McLeod CG, Taylor J, Patel H, Mendelsohn RB, Bala G, Sloan I, Merchant AA, Smith ZL, Sendzischew Shane MA, Aroniadis OC, Ordiah CO, Ruddy JM, Simren M, Tack J, Drossman D, Rome Foundation Research Institute and the North American Alliance for the Study of Digestive Manifestations of COVID-19

Author

Zachary Smith DO Associate Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Cohort Studies
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Hospitalization
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
North America
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires