Increase in Chronic Digestive Disorders Seen During Pandemic

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.

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.

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.

“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.”

Several authors disclosed ties to relevant organizations.

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