COVID AND COVID VACCINATION AMONG OUTPATIENTS WITH FUNCTIONAL GI AND GI MOTILITY DISORDERS;EFFECTS ON GI SYMPTOMS

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The ongoing COVID pandemic from SARS-CoV-2 infection has posed healthcare challenges. COVID and even COVID vaccines have been reported to have effects on underlying GI conditions. Several efficacious vaccines with infrequent side effects are available. However, many eligible recipients are not getting vaccinated. Aims: The aims of this study were threefold 1) Determine the prevalence of prior COVID infection and COVID vaccination in patients within a GI practice seeing primarily functional GI and GI motility disorders;2) Inquire as to why patients do not get vaccinated;and 3) Assess if COVID-19 illness or COVID vaccination provoked patient typical GI symptoms. Methods: Patients seen in clinical practice either in person or telemedicine were asked about COVID vaccination and prior COVID infection. If patients had not been vaccinated, they were asked the reasons for that decision. If patients had COVID and/or COVID vaccination, they were asked if either caused worsening of their typical GI symptoms. Results: 538 patients (414 females and 124 males;average age 49.1±17.7 years) were questioned about COVID vaccination and prior COVID-19 acquisition. Of these 538 patients, 105 had esophageal disorders, 358 had gastric disorders, and 88 had colonic disorders. 456 of the 538 (83.8%) had received a COVID-19 vaccination (Table 1). Of the 82 people not getting COVID vaccination, 13 people did not receive vaccine due to medical reasons (allergies, immune system disorders), 46 people were afraid or skeptical of the vaccine/the side effects, and 22 people considered it unnecessary. 72 of the 538 (13.4%) had contracted COVID at some time (7 after their COVID vaccine [breakthrough COVID]) (Table 2). 23/72 (32%) said their GI symptoms were exacerbated during their COVID infection, whereas 49/72 said there was no effect on their GI symptoms. Of the 23 patients who had their GI symptoms exacerbated by COVID, 3 had esophageal disorders,17 had gastric disorders (11 had idiopathic gastroparesis, 5 diabetic gastroparesis, and 1 with chronic abdominal pain), and 0 had colonic disorders. 8 of 456 (1.8%) vaccinated patients said their GI symptoms were exacerbated with the COVID vaccine (0 had esophageal disorders, 7 had gastric disorders [5 with idiopathic gastroparesis, 1 with cyclic vomiting syndrome, and 1 with diabetic gastroparesis], and 2 had colonic disorders). Conclusions: In this outpatient practice setting of functional and GI motility patients, 84% had been vaccinated and 13% had previously contracted COVID. Among patients with functional and GI motility disorders, naturally acquired COVID infection caused an aggravation of symptoms in an important proportion of patients (32%), especially in those with gastric disorders, particularly gastroparesis. Aggravation of symptoms rarely (<2%) occurred following administration of COVID vaccine. (Table Presented) (Table Presented)