Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal symptoms after recovery from COVID‐19

Abstract

Background COVID‐19 frequently presents with acute gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but it is unclear how common these symptoms are after recovery. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of GI symptoms after COVID‐19. Methods The medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID‐19 between March 1 and June 30, 2020, were reviewed for the presence of GI symptoms at primary care follow‐up 1 to 6 months later. The prevalence of new GI symptoms was estimated, and risk factors were assessed. Additionally, an anonymous survey was used to determine the prevalence of new GI symptoms among online support groups for COVID‐19 survivors. Key Results Among 147 patients without pre‐existing GI conditions, the most common GI symptoms at the time of hospitalization for COVID‐19 were diarrhea (23%), nausea/vomiting (21%), and abdominal pain (6.1%), and at a median follow‐up time of 106 days, the most common GI symptoms were abdominal pain (7.5%), constipation (6.8%), diarrhea (4.1%), and vomiting (4.1%), with 16% reporting at least one GI symptom at follow‐up (95% confidence interval 11 to 23%). Among 285 respondents to an online survey for self‐identified COVID‐19 survivors without pre‐existing GI symptoms, 113 (40%) reported new GI symptoms after COVID‐19 (95% CI 33.9 to 45.6%). Conclusion and inferences At a median of 106 days after discharge following hospitalization for COVID‐19, 16% of unselected patients reported new GI symptoms at follow‐up. 40% of patients from COVID survivor groups reported new GI symptoms. The ongoing GI effects of COVID‐19 after recovery require further study.

Long COVID Symptomatology After 12 Months and Its Impact on Quality of Life According to Initial Coronavirus Disease 2019 Disease Severity

“…However the wording of the question “Have you noticed the following symptoms or illnesses since your COVID-19 diagnosis ?” limits the risk of reporting symptoms not related to COVID-19. Moreover, the appearance of symptoms in asymptomatic patients or after recovery of the acute illness has been reported by other studies [ 41 , 45 ]. It can be questionable whether gastrointestinal symptoms could be associated with COVID-19 1 year after infection.…”

Gastrointestinal symptoms and the severity of COVID‐19: Disorders of gut–brain interaction are an outcome

“…Among 285 survivors, 40% reported new GI symptoms. 14 In a study from China on 1655 subjects, 80 reported diarrhea or vomiting 6 months after COVID‐19. 38 Sustained new bowel control problems were reported after COVID‐19 in 3 out of 100 hospitalized patients in a UK‐based study.…”

“… 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 Moreover, it appears that GI symptoms and sequelae are common after resolution of the acute COVID‐19 illness. 14 , 15 It has been proposed that these sustained symptoms fulfill a specific GI diagnosis, namely Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction (DGBI), 16 which has been also explored in a recent study. 17 …”

Characterization of long COVID-19 manifestations and its associated factors: A prospective cohort study from Iran

“…They discovered that diarrhea, nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain were the most common GI symptoms the admission time. Nevertheless, after a median following up of 106 days, abdominal pain (7.5%) was the most frequent symptom followed by constipation, diarrhea and vomiting [ 31 ]. Hereby, Gastrointestinal sequelae stood for 93/249 (37.3%) cases in which abdominal pain was dominant following by nausea and difficulty in swallowing in both acute and the persistent states.…”