Long COVID in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Long COVID, persistent symptoms post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, significantly impacts quality of life.
• Individuals with chronic debilitating conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may face amplified Long COVID effects.
• Understanding Long COVID prevalence in IBD is crucial for patient management and public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of Long COVID in patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
• To assess the relationship between Long COVID and IBD course, including relapse rates.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 528 IBD patients attending a tertiary referral center was recruited between September and October 2021.
• Patients were evaluated for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and the subsequent development of Long COVID symptoms.
• Data collected included demographics, clinical characteristics, and IBD activity.

Main Results:

• 10% (53/528) of IBD patients reported a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Among infected IBD patients, 40% (21/53) developed Long COVID, with asthenia being the most common symptom.
• Long COVID was more prevalent in females; however, IBD relapses occurred with similar frequency in patients with and without Long COVID.

Conclusions:

• Long COVID is a frequent occurrence among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
• The development of Long COVID does not appear to negatively influence the course or activity of IBD.
• Further research is warranted to explore the specific mechanisms and long-term implications of Long COVID in IBD populations.