Food practices and bowl habit of teachers from a municipality in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul during the covid-19 pandemic: a cross-cross study

Introduction and objective: Functional Intestinal Constipation is a disease of high prevalence and origin not fully clarified. However, its primary treatment involves lifestyle changes, like improving eating habits, exercising and increase of water intake. Materials and Methods: According to this, the present study aimed to evaluate intestinal habits and associated factors of teachers from a municipal school in the city of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. Thus, a cross-sectional study was made with teachers aged 20 years or over. Data collection was done through an electronic form involving the Bristol Scale Tool, Rome III Criteria and a form about dietary habits based on the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, sent to the institutional e-mail of the teachers. Socioeconomic issues and water intake were also evaluated. After the collection, data were analyzed by statistical software. Results: The prevalence of functional constipation was 44,7% (The Rome III Criteria) and 24,3% (Bristol Scale Tool). Furthermore, its prevalence was 1,727 times (95%CI = 1,135;2,629) higher in the. With moderate / regular eating habits compared to habits with excellent practices. Discussion: Results similar to the study are observed in the literature. Conclusion: This way, the present study observed that the prevalence of constipation was related to the eating habits of the studied population.

Indian consensus statements on irritable bowel syndrome in adults: A guideline by the Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and jointly supported by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology.

The Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (INMA), earlier named the Indian Motility and Functional Diseases Association developed this evidence-based practice guidelines for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A modified Delphi process was used to develop this consensus containing 28 statements, which were concerning diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis and comorbidities, investigations, lifestyle modifications and treatments. Owing to the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, lockdowns and mobility restrictions, web-based meetings and electronic voting were the major tools used to develop this consensus. A statement was regarded as accepted when the sum of "completely accepted" and "accepted with minor reservation" voted responses were 80% or higher. Finally, the consensus was achieved on all 28 statements. The consensus team members are of the view that this work may find use in teaching, patient care, and research on IBS in India and other nations.

Long-term Gastrointestinal Sequelae Following COVID-19: A Prospective Follow-up Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with long-term gastrointestinal sequelae; however, prospective longitudinal data are sparse. We prospectively studied the frequency, spectrum, and risk factors of post infection functional gastrointestinal disorders/disorders of gut-brain interaction (PI-FGID/DGBI) after COVID-19. METHODS: Three hundred twenty cases with COVID-19 and 2 control groups, group A, 320 healthy spouses/family controls, and group B, 280 healthy COVID serology-negative controls, were prospectively followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months by using validated Rome IV criteria to evaluate the frequency of PI-FGID/DGBI. RESULTS: Of 320 cases, at 1 month 36 (11.3%) developed FGID symptoms. Persistent symptoms were noted in 27 (8.4%) at 3 months and in 21 (6.6%) at 6 months. At 3 months, 8 (2.5%) had irritable bowel syndrome, 7 (2.2%) had functional diarrhea, 6 (1.9%) had functional dyspepsia, 3 (0.9%) had functional constipation, 2 (0.6%) had functional dyspepsia-IBS overlap, and 1 (0.3%) had functional abdominal bloating/distention. Among symptomatic individuals at 3 months, 8 (29.6%) were positive for isolated carbohydrate malabsorption, 1 (3.7%) was positive for post infection malabsorption syndrome, and 1 (3.7%) was positive for intestinal methanogen overgrowth. None of the healthy controls developed FGID up to 6 months of follow-up (P < .01). Predictive factors at 3 and 6 months were severity of infection (P < .01) and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms at the time of infection (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 led to significantly higher number of new onset PI-FGID/DGBI compared with healthy controls at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. If further investigated, some patients can be diagnosed with underlying malabsorption.

Severe Gastroparesis Flare: Is COVID-19 the Inciting Factor?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has emerged as a public health hazard. It is commonly associated with respiratory symptoms including fever, cough and sore throat. Viral infections have historically been implicated in the exacerbations of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated with GI manifestations including diarrhea and vomiting. However, exacerbation of underlying functional GI disorders has been rarely reported with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein we report a case of a 31-year-old female with acute gastroparesis flare secondary to COVID-19 which was refractory to pharmacological therapy.

Functional gastrointestinal and somatoform symptoms five months after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A controlled cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal infections represent a risk factor for functional gastrointestinal and somatoform extraintestinal disorders. We investigated the prevalence and relative risk (RR) of gastrointestinal and somatoform symptoms 5 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with a control cohort. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and 183 controls responded to an online questionnaire about symptoms and signs during the acute phase of the infection and after 4.8 ± 0.3 months. Presence and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, somatization, anxiety, and depression were recorded with standardized questionnaires. Stool form and presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were also recorded. Any association between exposure to infection and symptoms was evaluated by calculating crude and adjusted RR values and score differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI). KEY RESULTS: Fever, dyspnea, loss of smell/taste/weight, diarrhea, myalgia, arthralgia, and asthenia were reported by more than 40% of patients during the acute phase. Compared with controls, adjusted RRs for loose stools, chronic fatigue, and somatization were increased after infection: 1.88 (95% CI 0.99-3.54), 2.24 (95% CI 1.48-3.37), and 3.62 (95% CI 1.01-6.23), respectively. Gastrointestinal sequelae were greater in patients with diarrhea during the acute phase. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Mild gastroenterological symptoms persist 5 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, in particular in patients reporting diarrhea in the acute phase. Infected patients are at increased risk of chronic fatigue and somatoform disorders, thus supporting the hypothesis that both functional gastrointestinal and somatoform disorders may have a common biological origin.

Prevalence and risk factors for gastrointestinal symptoms after recovery from COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 frequently presents with acute gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but it is unclear how common these symptoms are after recovery. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of GI symptoms after COVID-19. METHODS: The medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1 and June 30, 2020, were reviewed for the presence of GI symptoms at primary care follow-up 1 to 6 months later. The prevalence of new GI symptoms was estimated, and risk factors were assessed. Additionally, an anonymous survey was used to determine the prevalence of new GI symptoms among online support groups for COVID-19 survivors. KEY RESULTS: Among 147 patients without pre-existing GI conditions, the most common GI symptoms at the time of hospitalization for COVID-19 were diarrhea (23%), nausea/vomiting (21%), and abdominal pain (6.1%), and at a median follow-up time of 106 days, the most common GI symptoms were abdominal pain (7.5%), constipation (6.8%), diarrhea (4.1%), and vomiting (4.1%), with 16% reporting at least one GI symptom at follow-up (95% confidence interval 11 to 23%). Among 285 respondents to an online survey for self-identified COVID-19 survivors without pre-existing GI symptoms, 113 (40%) reported new GI symptoms after COVID-19 (95% CI 33.9 to 45.6%). CONCLUSION AND INFERENCES: At a median of 106 days after discharge following hospitalization for COVID-19, 16% of unselected patients reported new GI symptoms at follow-up. 40% of patients from COVID survivor groups reported new GI symptoms. The ongoing GI effects of COVID-19 after recovery require further study.

COVID-19 Outbreak and its Burden on a New Wave of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

The current outbreak of COVID-19 infection among humans is strongly impacting global physical and mental health. This outbreak can induce or exacerbate some chronic disorders such as functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) due to stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, denial, anger, and fear. The current focus on the physical aspects of COVID-19 infection may distract public attention from the psychosocial consequences of this outbreak. The mental disorders related to this outbreak may develop and extend FGIDs in the long term. FGIDs have a significant impact on daily activities and quality of life and also cause high economic burdens through direct medical costs and loss of productivity. The purpose of this mini-review was to emphasize the critical state of old and new cases of FGIDs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Published English papers about mental health disorders related to the COVID19 outbreak or before the infectious outbreak, stress, and FGIDs were considered and reviewed. We selected articles which were current and had the most relevance to FGIDs, psycho-somatization, and infectious outbreak.

Implications of SARS-COV-2 infection in the diagnosis and management of the pediatric gastrointestinal disease.

Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), inflammatory bowel disease (IBDs) and acute or chronic diarrhea are quite frequent in the pediatric population. The approach, the diagnosis and management can be changed in the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic era. This review has focused on: i) the current understanding of digestive involvement in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected children and adolescents and the clinical implications of COVID-19 for pediatric gastroenterologists, ii) the impact of COVID-19 on the clinical approach to patients with pre-existing or onset diseases, including diagnosis and treatment, and iii) the role and limited access to the instrumental diagnosis such as digestive endoscopy. To date, it is unclear if immunosuppression in patients with IBD and chronic liver disease represents a risk factor for adverse outcomes. Scheduled outpatient follow-up visits may be postponed, especially in patients in remission. Conversely, telemedicine services are strongly recommended. The introduction of new therapeutic regimens should be made on an individual basis, discussing the benefits and risks with each patient. Furthermore, psychological care in all children with chronic disease and their parents should be ensured. All non-urgent and elective endoscopic procedures may be postponed as they must be considered at high risk of viral transmission. Finally, until SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is not available, strict adherence to standard social distancing protocols and the use of personal protective equipment should continue to be recommended.

The difference of disrupted rhythms of life, work and entertainment between patients with FGIDs and healthy people and their associations with psychological disorders under COVID-19 pandemic.

AIMS: To investigate the differences in disrupted rhythms between healthy people and patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and their associations with mood disorders during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: The rhythm scales were composed of subscales 1 and 2 for the assessment of life-work and entertainment rhythms, respectively; Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess mood disorders. RESULTS: A total of 671 patients with FGIDs and 4373 healthy people successfully participated. The scores of subscales 1 and 2 for patients with FGIDs were significantly higher than those for healthy people (p < .005). The SAS and SDS scores, their prevalence rates were significantly higher than those for the healthy group (all p < .001). Health status, current occupation, life-work rhythm, SDS, and SAS were independent related factors of FGIDs. The score of life-work-entertainment rhythm was significantly positively correlated with SDS and SAS (both p < .001). CONCLUSION: Disrupted rhythms in patients with FGIDs under the COVID-19 pandemic were more frequently and significantly positively associated with mood disorders.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome: A population-based survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Functional gastrointestinal disorders are a group of stress-sensitive gut-brain disorders. The COVID-19 outbreak has caused immense stress and anxiety among the general public. Strict measures to counter COVID-19 emergency, including physical distancing, have also taken a toll on physical and mental health. We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: An online survey was conducted in Japan for a group of randomly assigned panelists from May 26 to 27, 2020. Each respondent answered a questionnaire on stress, physical distancing, and worries about COVID-19. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed to diagnose FD and IBS (Rome III), and psychological symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: A total of 5157 subjects were finally enrolled, with FD in 8.5%, IBS in 16.6%, and FD-IBS overlap in 4.0%. For both gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms, respondents with FD-IBS overlap showed the worst scores, followed by IBS-alone, then FD-alone respondents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 11.9% of respondents reported deterioration and 2.8% reported improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms. FD-IBS overlap, psychological disease comorbidity, and stress at work/school were significantly associated with symptom deterioration. Younger age, commuting by public transport, and work/study from home were associated with symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected FD/IBS subjects, with respondents showing FD-IBS overlap syndrome as the most important independent factor associated with deterioration in gastrointestinal symptoms. Physicians need to take extra care of FD/IBS patients in the post-COVID period.