COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown stress consequences in people with and without Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Background While all resources have been mobilized to fight COVID-19, this study aimed to analyze the consequences of lockdown and pandemic stress in participants with and without Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Methodology An online survey was proposed to people with or without IBS during the exponential phase of the pandemic in France. The questionnaire included questions about socio-demographic data, conditions of confinement, activities carried out, IBS characteristics, measurement of stress level, consequences on sleep, fatigue, anxiety and depression, and quality of life (both perceived non-specific and specific for IBS). Results/Discussion From March 31 to April 15, 2020, 304 participants, 232 with IBS and 72 without were included in the survey (mean age: 46.8 ± 16.8 years, female gender: 75.3%). Age, level of education, financial resources, living space per person and activities performed during confinement were identical in both groups. Stress linked to fear of COVID-19, lockdown and financial worries was at the same level in both groups, but the psychological consequences and deterioration of quality of life (QOL) were both higher in IBS participants. In a univariate analysis, teleworking, solitary confinement, and low household resources had a variable impact on the scores of depression, anxiety, fatigue and non-specific perceived QOL, but in a multivariate analysis, the only factor explaining a deterioration of non-specific QOL was the fact of suffering from IBS. Conclusion/Perspectives Stress linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and confinement is high and equivalent in both IBS and non-IBS participants, with higher psychological and QOL consequences in IBS patients who have altered coping capacities.

The symptom burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in tertiary care during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…This is consistent with the findings from a study in France where 21.3% of patients reported an improvement in IBS symptoms during COVID‐19 restrictions presumed to relate to improved toilet access while working from home. 23 …”

Meditation and yoga for irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial (MY-IBS study)

“…Nearly 90% of care in the USA has been delivered virtually since the pandemic 25. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increased psychological distress and gastrointestinal symptoms among individuals with IBS26 27 compared with individuals without IBS 28. The present study offers a unique opportunity to examine prospectively the feasibility and effectiveness of a yoga and meditation programme delivered virtually to individuals living with IBS with the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions taken into consideration.…”

Changes in the Incidence Rates of Gastrointestinal Diseases Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea: A Long-Term Perspective

“…Irritable bowel syndrome is a frequent functional GI disorder with a prevalence of 3–5% worldwide [ 26 ]. Patients may complain of repetitive abdominal pain that is accompanied with changes in the consistency or frequency of stools, without any gross peculiarity [ 31 ]. Several studies have presented strong evidence that irritable bowel syndrome is a stress-sensitive illness; the primary effects of psychosocial stress on gut physiology involve increases in visceral hypersensitivity and mucosal permeability, changes in gut motility and secretions, and negative effects on gut microbiota [ 26 , 32 ].…”

“…Unexpectedly, our survey showed a paradoxical decline in irritable bowel syndrome cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of symptom deterioration [ 30 ]. Lockdowns allowed easy access to toilets at home, and the subsequent adoption of flexible work and school schedules in Singapore, Japan, and France resulted in a decrease in illnesses, as well as improvements in sleep and exercise, reduced burnout, an improved sense of well-being, and a reduction in commute-related stress [ 30 , 31 , 33 ]. These factors may have contributed to the decrease in symptom severity among patients with irritable bowel syndrome, which might have reduced their need for professional medical care [ 31 ].…”