Persisting gastrointestinal symptoms and post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 infection: Results from the Arizona CoVHORT

Erika Austhof, Melanie L. Bell, Mark S. Riddle, Collin Catalfamo, Caitlyn McFadden, Kerry Cooper, Elaine Scallan Walter, Elizabeth Jacobs, Kristen Pogreba-Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to examine the association between gastrointestinal (GI) symptom presence during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the prevalence of GI symptoms and the development of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). We used data from a prospective cohort and logistic regression to examine the association between GI symptom status during confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevalence of persistent GI symptoms at ≥45 days. We also report the incidence of PI-IBS following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 1475 participants in this study, 33.8% (n = 499) had GI symptoms during acute infection. Cases with acute GI symptoms had an odds of persisting GI symptoms 4 times higher than cases without acute GI symptoms (odds ratio (OR) 4.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.45-7.53); symptoms lasted on average 8 months following infection. Of those with persisting GI symptoms, 67% sought care for their symptoms and incident PI-IBS occurred in 3.0% (n = 15) of participants. Those with acute GI symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection are likely to have similar persistent symptoms 45 days and greater. These data indicate that attention to a potential increase in related healthcare needs is warranted.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2200120
JournalEpidemiology and infection
Volume150
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 8 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • gastrointestinal
  • post-acute sequelae of COVID-19
  • post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Persisting gastrointestinal symptoms and post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 infection: Results from the Arizona CoVHORT'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this