Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background and Aim Gastrointestinal manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic may mimic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and social distancing measures may affect IBS patients negatively. We aimed to study the impact of COVID‐19 on respondents with self‐reported IBS. Methods We conducted an anonymized survey from May to June 2020 in 33 countries. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on personal hygiene and social distancing as well as psychological impact of COVID‐19 were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to determine differences in well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures between respondents with and without self‐reported IBS. Factors associated with improvement or worsening of IBS symptoms were evaluated. Results Out of 2704 respondents, 2024 (74.9%) did not have IBS, 305 (11.3%) had self‐reported IBS, and 374 (13.8%) did not know what IBS was. Self‐reported IBS respondents reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being compared with non‐IBS respondents and were less compliant to social distancing measures (28.2% vs 35.3%, P = 0.029); 61.6% reported no change, 26.6% reported improvement, and 11.8% reported worsening IBS symptoms. Higher proportion of respondents with no change in IBS symptoms were willing to practice social distancing indefinitely versus those who deteriorated (74.9% vs 51.4%, P = 0.016). In multivariate analysis, willingness to continue social distancing for another 2–3 weeks ( vs longer period) was significantly associated with higher odds of worsening IBS. Conclusion Our study showed that self‐reported IBS respondents had worse well‐being and compliance to social distancing measures than non‐IBS respondents. Future research will focus on occupational stress and dietary changes during COVID‐19 that may influence IBS.

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

“…Recent evidence suggests that stress has resulted in an increase in the prevalence of IBS during the COVID‐19 pandemic. 21 Moreover, patients with IBS and high levels of anxiety, such as those included in our study are more likely to be susceptible to severe exacerbations due to aberrant coping strategies 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 and lower levels of resilience, 26 catastrophizing and somatization, 27 potentially explaining the more severe somatic (non‐colonic) symptoms, extreme loss of control and helplessness as well as sleep disturbance among those within the pandemic cohort in our study. While the exact reasons for more sleep disturbance in the pandemic group is unclear, social support during the pandemic restrictions may be a contributory factor.…”

COVID‐19 in gastroenterology: Where are we now? Current evidence on the impact of COVID‐19 in gastroenterology

“…A population‐based survey, including 2704 people from 33 countries, revealed that 5% of respondents developed IBS‐like symptoms during the first 3 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Patients with IBS prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic (11%) reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being, compared with non‐IBS respondents 47 …”

“…Patients with IBS prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic (11%) reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well‐being, compared with non‐IBS respondents. 47 …”

“…Patients with IBS prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (11%) reported significantly worse emotional, social, and psychological well-being, compared with non-IBS respondents. 47 GI symptoms can also be a consequence of the socio-cultural changes that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, lockdowns and social distancing are modifying behaviors that are being associated with unhealthy eating habits, decreased physical exercise, decreased patient interactions with medical services, increased anxiety and alcohol consumption (or relapse in abstinent patients).…”

Indonesian Health Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…When talking out of context of the pandemic, burnout can also be associated with various other diseases, including IBS. 4 Burnout was associated with a 2.41-fold elevated prevalence of IBS after adjusting for potential confounding variables, including job strain. 5 Other studies reported that health workers treating COVID-19 patients experience significantly higher depressive symptoms and burnout than others.…”