ABSTRACT
Introduction: Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a global prevalence of 11.2%. The current diagnosis is based on Rome IV Criteria, and it is recognized as a gut-brain axis disorder in which biopsychosocial factors, currently affected by the global pandemic of COVID-19, play a major role. Aims & Methods: Objective: To analyze biopsychosocial factors related to IBS during COVID-19. Methods: Observational study using an online survey. The survey combined questions of two validated questionnaires of Rome IV and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score Scale, as well as other items related to psychosocial areas affected by COVID-19. Data was collected and a Binary Logistic Regression Analysis was performed. Results: 2487 participants were divided according to the Rome IV criteria in IBS (N=678) and control (N=1809). IBS had a prevalence of 27% and was more prevalent in females (OR=2.81, IC 95% 2.12-3.7), healthcare workers (OR=2.33, IC 95% 1.92-2.82), and was linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression (OR=3.6, IC 95% 2.95-4.41) (OR=2.09, IC 95% 1.75-2.50), respectively. The factors associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression were, healthcare worker (OR=2.01, IC 95% 1.71-2.36) (OR=1.44, IC 95% 1.22-1.70), psychological violence (OR=3.72 IC 95% 2.85-4.8) (OR=2.95 IC 95% 2.35-3.72), time >3 hours/day searching for COVID-19 information (OR=2.36 IC 95% 1.81-2.98) (OR=1.91 IC 95% 1.52-2.41), and worrying about the current pandemic (OR=2.79, IC 95% 2.18-3.58) (OR=2.20, IC 95% 1.68-2.86). Conclusion: There are important associations between IBS prevalence, anxiety, depression and other factors in the environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic.