Specifically, increases seen in irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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WEDNESDAY, July 9, 2025 (HealthDay News) — There was an increase in disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) during the COVID-19 pandemic for those living in the United States, according to a study recently published online in Neurogastroenterology & Motility<\/em>.<\/p>\n Christopher V. Almario, M.D., from Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and colleagues assessed trends in the prevalence of Rome IV gastroduodenal and bowel DGBI over time based on survey responses from a nationally representative sample of more than 160,000 U.S. adults.<\/p>\n The researchers found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) increased (6.1 [May 2020] to 11.0 percent [May 2022]; +0.188 percent\/month), as did chronic idiopathic constipation (6.0 [May 2020] to 6.4 percent [May 2022]; +0.056 percent\/month). The largest prevalence increase was seen in mixed IBS (+0.085 percent\/month), IBS with constipation (+0.041 percent\/month), and IBS with diarrhea (+0.037 percent\/month). For the other examined gastroduodenal and bowel DGBI, there were no changes in prevalence.<\/p>\n “These findings underscore the significant toll the pandemic has taken on digestive health,” Almario said in a statement. “These disorders involve chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that are often triggered or worsened by psychological stress.”<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n