Long-term consequences of COVID-19 in patients with functional bowel disorders, rehabilitation prospective of microbiocenosis-oriented therapy

Abstract

Aim. To analyze long-term consequences of the new coronavirus infection and rehabilitation prospective of microbiocenosis-oriented therapy in patients with functional bowel disorders. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 100 consecutive patients with various types of functional bowel disorders with recurrence of symptoms after the new coronavirus infection. The severity of abdominal pain was evaluated in points, and bowel movement disorders were assessed using the Bristol stool scale. A questionnaire was used as part of an in-depth clinical examination for COVID-19 survivors to identify the clinical symptoms typical for the post-COVID syndrome. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to identify and assess the severity of depression and anxiety, and the Asthenic State Scale was used to diagnose the asthenia. Results. All patients in the study subjectively linked the recurrence of bowel disorders with the new coronavirus infection. The most common bowel disorder was irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. A distinctive feature of exacerbations of intestinal symptoms in the post-COVID period is their association with depression/anxiety and asthenic states. The addition of Zakofalk® metaprebiotic to the treatment regimen was associated with significant regression of abdominal pain and normalization of bowel movement, an improvement of asthenia, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion. The addition of Zakofalk® to treatment regimens for exacerbations of functional bowel disorders after the new coronavirus infection significantly improves the effectiveness of therapy.