Irritable Bowel Syndrome Onset after New Coronavirus Infection COVID-19

Aim. A psychometric comparison in patients with previous irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) vs. those with IBS presenting six months or later since COVID-19 infection.

Materials and methods. The study included patients having had COVID-19 infection over 6 months ago and complying with Rome IV criteria (2016). The study cohort was 100 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Fourteen patients (cohort 1) complied with the IBS criteria, 5 males and 9 females. A comparison cohort was 40 patients with IBS verified prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (cohort 2), 12 males and 28 females. Data were obtained from the SIPSITEST 9.0 DBMS resource. The control cohort comprised 50 healthy respondents (cohort 3), 23 males and 27 females. Depression was scored with the Beck Inventory, anxiety — with Spielberger—Khanin (adapted STAI) questionnaire; childhood psychogeny has also been assessed.

Results. In statistical analysis of cohort 1, mean depression, personality and reactive anxiety scores were 11 ± 2.27, 43.8 ± 1.93 and 46.7 ± 2.05, respectively. Mean values in cohort 2: personality anxiety 47.3 ± 1.46, reactive anxiety 50.7 ± 1.96 and depression 12.85 ± 1.13. With childhood psychogeny, positive answers to at least one question were reported in 9 of 14 (65%) patients in cohort 1 and 33 (82.5%) — in cohort 2. No study inter-cohort differences have been observed for personality or reactive anxiety and depression, nor for the history of childhood psychogeny.

Conclusion. The new coronavirus infection entails postinfectious IBS in 6 months after COVID-19. 

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