Meta‐analysis: Post‐COVID‐19 functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

SummaryIntroductionThe burden of post‐COVID‐19 functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains unclear. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to estimate the rate of post‐COVID‐19 FD and IBS.MethodsMEDLINE, Scopus and Embase were searched through 17 December 2022. Studies reporting the incidence of FD and/or IBS in COVID‐19 survivors and controls (without COVID‐19), when available, according to the Rome criteria, were included. Estimated incidence with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was pooled. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was pooled; heterogeneity was expressed as I2.ResultsTen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Overall, four studies including 1199 COVID‐19 patients were considered for FD. Post‐COVID‐19 FD was reported by 72 patients (4%, 95% CI: 3%–5% and I2 0%). The pooled OR for FD development (three studies) in post‐COVID‐19 patients compared to controls was 8.07 (95% CI: 0.84–77.87, p = 0.071 and I2 = 67.9%). Overall, 10 studies including 2763 COVID‐19 patients were considered for IBS. Post‐COVID‐19 IBS was reported by 195 patients (12%, 95% CI: 8%–16%, I2 95.6% and Egger's p = 0.002 test). The pooled OR for IBS development (four studies) in COVID‐19 patients compared to controls was 6.27 (95% CI: 0.88–44.76, p = 0.067 and I2 = 81.4%); considering only studies with a prospective COVID‐19 cohort (three studies), the pooled OR was 12.92 (95% CI: 3.58–46.60, p < 0.001 and I2 = 0%).ConclusionsCOVID‐19 survivors were found to be at risk for IBS development compared to controls. No definitive data are available for FD.