Key Questions Answered
Q: What are disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs)?
A: DGBIs, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, are conditions where the gut and brain fail to communicate properly, leading to chronic gastrointestinal symptoms without clear structural causes.
Q: How much did these disorders increase after the pandemic?
A: The study found a rise from 38.3% to 42.6% overall, with IBS increasing by 28% and functional dyspepsia by nearly 44%.
Q: Is there a link between long COVID and these gut-brain disorders?
A: Yes. Individuals with long COVID were significantly more likely to report DGBIs, along with worsened anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
Q: Why is this study important?
A: It is the first direct, population-level comparison of gut-brain disorder rates before and after the pandemic using consistent diagnostic methods, shedding light on COVID-19’s long-term impact on digestive and mental health.
Summary: A major international study confirms that disorders of gut-brain interaction have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Using consistent diagnostic tools across 2017 and 2023 populations, researchers found notable surges in IBS and functional dyspepsia.
Those suffering from long COVID were especially vulnerable, with more severe gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms. The findings underscore an urgent need for improved care strategies addressing the gut-brain connection in a post-COVID world.
Key Facts:
- Post-Pandemic Surge: DGBIs rose from 38.3% to 42.6% since 2017.
- IBS & Dyspepsia Climb: IBS increased by 28%; functional dyspepsia by nearly 44%.
- Long COVID Link: Patients with long COVID show significantly higher rates and severity of DGBIs.
Source: American Gastroenterological Association
A new international study confirmed a significant post-pandemic rise in disorders of gut-brain interaction, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, according to the paper published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Building on prior research, investigators used Rome Foundation diagnostic tools to analyze nationally representative samples from both 2017 and 2023 — offering the first direct, population-level comparison of disorders of gut-brain interaction prevalence before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key findings:
- Overall disorders of gut-brain interaction rose from 38.3% to 42.6%.
- IBS jumped 28%, from 4.7% to 6%.
- Functional dyspepsia rose by nearly 44%, from 8.3% to 11.9%.
- Individuals with long COVID were significantly more likely to have a disorder of gut-brain interaction and reported worse anxiety, depression, and quality of life.
This is the first population-level study to directly compare rates of disorders affecting gut-brain interaction before and after the pandemic, using a consistent methodology. It adds weight to growing calls for updated care models and more research into the gut-brain axis in the post-COVID era.
About this COVID-19 and gut-brain axis research news
Author: Annie Mehl
Source: American Gastroenterological Association
Contact: Annie Mehl – American Gastroenterological Association
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“The Prevalence and Burden of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) before versus after the COVID-19 Pandemic” by Imran AZIZ et al. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Abstract
The Prevalence and Burden of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) before versus after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Background & Aims
COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of developing Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI). However, the extent of this effect on a population level, and how directly it is related to COVID-19 illness, is poorly understood. We performed a two-country survey to address this issue.
Methods
A population-based Internet survey with pre-defined demographic quotas was conducted across the UK and USA in 2017 (pre-pandemic, n=4050) and repeated in 2023 (post-pandemic, n=4002). The surveys included the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire, and questions about non-gastrointestinal somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. The 2023 survey also included questions regarding COVID-19 infection and illness history.
Results
The overall DGBI prevalence, i.e., meeting diagnostic criteria for at least one DGBI, has significantly increased from the pre- to post- pandemic era (38.3% vs. 42.6%, OR 1.20, 95% C.I 1.09-1.31), with similar findings independently noted in the UK and USA. The rise in DGBI was observed within the esophageal (8.8% vs. 10.1%, OR 1.16), gastroduodenal (11.9% vs. 16.4%, OR 1.45), and bowel domains (30.1% vs. 32.5%, OR 1.12).
The two most widely investigated DGBI showed large post-pandemic prevalence increases, with functional dyspepsia rising from 8.3% to 11.9% (OR 1.48) and irritable bowel syndrome from 4.7% to 6.0% (OR 1.31).
Individuals with DGBI in the post-pandemic era, in particular those with long-COVID, reported reduced quality of life and higher mood disturbances, somatic symptom reporting and healthcare use than individuals with DGBI in the pre-pandemic era.
In multivariable analysis, COVID-related factors associated with having DGBI in the post-pandemic era included increasing number of COVID-19 infections (OR 1.31), experiencing abdominal pain (OR 2.06) or diarrhea (OR 1.33) during COVID-19 infection, suffering with long-COVID (OR 1.65), and not being vaccinated (OR 1.35).
Conclusion
The population prevalence and burden of DGBI have increased following the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare services and research funding bodies need to adapt to this post-COVID surge in DGBI and address how to best manage this patient group.
Source link
