A new study by researchers at Washington University in St. Louis and elsewhere has found that people who have had COVID-19 are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders within a year of infection.
These conditions include liver problems, acute pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and ulcers in the lining of the stomach or upper intestine.
The post-COVID-19 GI tract is also linked to higher risks of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting.
The researchers analyzed about 14 million medical records in a database maintained by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
They compared GI outcomes in a data set of 154,068 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 to two other groups of people who had not been infected with the virus.
Overall, GI disorders were 36% more likely in people with COVID-19 compared with those who had not been infected.
The researchers estimate that SARS-CoV-2 infections have contributed to more than 6 million new cases of GI disorders in the U.S. and 42 million new cases worldwide.
They say it is crucial to include GI health as an integral part of post-acute COVID care.
The study’s findings build on the team’s prior research detailing COVID-19’s lingering effects on the brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs.
They have published numerous studies on the extended health risks of COVID-19, noting about 80 adverse health outcomes associated with long COVID-19.
While the vaccines may help reduce the risks of long COVID-19, they do not offer complete protection against long-term symptoms that can affect the heart, lungs, brain, and now, the GI tract.
The team emphasized the urgent need to develop strategies to prevent and treat long COVID-19 and its associated health outcomes.
Overall, the study’s findings highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing the long-term effects of COVID-19, including its impact on the GI tract.
It is essential to prioritize post-acute COVID care that considers the comprehensive health needs of patients who have recovered from the virus.
If you care about Covid, please read studies about antibodies that block all the COVID-19 variants, and people over 50 years old may get shingles after COVID-19.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that common asthma drugs may help treat COVID-19, and results showing scientists find the cause of long COVID ‘brain fog’.
The study was conducted by Ziyad Al-Aly et al and published in Nature Communications.
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