RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The long-term outcome of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is under investigation. AIM: To assess, in a prospective study, whether a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the risk of IBD relapse within 12â months. METHODS: From March to April 2021, all IBD patients with recent (<2â months) SARS-CoV-2 infection (Cases) were enrolled. For each enrolled Case, four IBD Controls with no history of infection were considered. Clinical course of IBD was recorded for 12â months. Inclusion criteria: well defined diagnosis of IBD; age ≥18 and ≤85â years; 12-month follow-up; consent. Exclusion criteria: incomplete data; SARS-CoV-2 infection after enrollment. Additional inclusion criteria: recent SARS-CoV-2 infection for Cases; no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection for Controls. Data expressed as median [range]. Statistical analysis: Student-t-Test, Mann-Whitney U-test, χ2 test, multivariate logistic regression model [odds ratio (95% confidence interval)], Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: One hundred forty-three IBD patients were enrolled. The analysis included 118 patients (22 met the exclusion criteria, three lost at follow-up): 29 (24.6%) Cases and 89 (75.4%) Controls. Demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. During the 12-month study, the frequency of IBD relapse was comparable between Cases and Controls [8 (27%) vs 19 (21%); Pâ =â 0.65]. At univariate analysis, SARS-CoV-2 infection was not a risk factor for IBD relapse within 12â months [1.5 (0.6-3.9); Pâ =â 0.34]. At multivariate analysis, IBD activity at baseline was the only risk factor for relapse [3.2 (1.1-9.1); Pâ =â 0.03]. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that survival from IBD relapse was comparable between Cases and Controls (Pâ =â 0.33). CONCLUSION: In a prospective 12-month study, a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection did not increase the risk of clinical relapse of IBD in the long term.
