Increased prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders of gut‐brain interaction during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An internet‐based survey

• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14197
• Publication Date: 2021-06-19T05:14:03Z
• Authors: Radislav Nakov; Desislava Dimitro...; Violeta Snegarova; Ventsislav Nakov; Mark Fox; Henriette Heinrich
• Keywords: Pandemic

Quarantine with social distancing has reduced transmission of COVID-19; however, fear the disease and these remedial measures cause anxiety stress. It is not known whether events have impacted prevalence gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms disorders brain-gut interaction (DGBI).An online platform evaluated GI during COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection utilized validated questionnaires was fully anonymized. Findings were compared identical data acquired in 2019. The association results stress analyzed.Data collected from 1896 subjects May - August 2019 to 980 non-identical June 2020. reported by 68.9% lockdown 56.0% previous year (p < 0.001). irritable bowel syndrome (26.3% vs. 20.0%; p 0.001), functional dyspepsia (18.3% 12.7%; heartburn (31.7% 26.2%, = 0.002), self-reported milk intolerance (43.5% 37.8% 0.004) higher Many individuals multiple symptoms. Anxiety associated presence all High levels 0.045) abdominal pain 0.013). DGBI 0.001; OR 22.99), 2.50), 2.18) independently increased pandemic.The significantly than under normal circumstances year. This increase attributable numbers patients DGBI, an effect that anxiety.