Association Between COVID-19 Vaccination and Gastrointestinal Manifestations: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid vaccine development and deployment.
• Understanding vaccine side effects is crucial for public trust and vaccine safety monitoring.
• Gastrointestinal manifestations are potential adverse events following immunization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between COVID-19 vaccination and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• To identify specific gastrointestinal side effects potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines.
• To analyze demographic and clinical factors influencing vaccine-related gastrointestinal side effects.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Amman, Jordan, from October 2022 to February 2023.
• Data from 987 participants aged 18+ who received COVID-19 vaccines were analyzed.
• Statistical analyses included Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• 37.5% of participants reported side effects; females and those with prior COVID-19 infection reported more.
• Hospitalization due to side effects was significantly higher (72.4%) compared to non-hospitalized individuals (36.4%).
• Specific gastrointestinal symptoms like indigestion, anorexia, flatulence, and abdominal pain showed significant differences (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• A positive association exists between COVID-19 vaccines and gastrointestinal side effects.
• Heartburn, anorexia, and bloating were identified as significant gastrointestinal side effects.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings.