According to a study published in the journal Gut, COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of developing long-term gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As per the data collected in the global study, IBS was found to be associated with the coexistence of allergies, breathing difficulties during hospitalization for COVID-19, and chronic intake of proton pump inhibitors.

In the study, 2,183 hospitalized patients from 14 different countries were included: Italy, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Romania, the Russian Federation, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. The condition of patients who had COVID-19 infection was compared to that of patients who had not been exposed to the coronavirus over the course of a year after being examined upon admission to the hospital.

The findings of the study showed that COVID patients were admitted for treatment more frequently (59.3%) than the control group for having gastrointestinal issues (39.7%). The researchers also discovered that those with COVID-19 reported higher levels of anxiety and despair after 6 months and 12 months of being hospitalized. Nevertheless, even six months after infection, the coronavirus was still detectable in the small intestine, according to the researchers.

In another study published in the journal Nature Communications, people with COVID-19 were found to be at an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as liver problems, acute pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and ulcers within a year after infection compared with people who had not been infected.

(Source: https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-linked-to-irritable-bowel-syndrome-says-global-study/articleshow/98858006.cms )