COVID-19 Pandemic is Associated With Increased Prevalence of GERD and Decreased GERD-related Quality of Life
Ahmad Fauzi,
Daniel M. Simadibrata,
Dewi Friska
et al.
Abstract:Introduction:
The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is expected to increase during the pandemic due to unexpected, sudden lifestyle changes such as decreased physical activity and worsening mental conditions. Here, we aim to explore the difference in the prevalence of GERD and GERD-related quality of life (QoL) in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of the … Show more
“…GI symptoms are known to occur in 29% of patients six months after recovery from COVID-19 infection, and, among these, reflux symptoms were reported in 27% [11]. In an Indonesian survey comprising 9,800 patients, it was found that there was an increased rate of GERD during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period (67.9% vs. 61.8%, respectively, p<0.001) [12]. Other investigators attribute the worsening GERD symptoms to the restrictive lockdown measures during the pandemic [13].…”
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly causes respiratory symptoms. However, a rare segment of patients recovering from COVID-19 may develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We describe a case of a female who presented with symptoms suggestive of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for 18 months following COVID-19 infection. Her symptoms included epigastric and chest pain, coughing, and vomiting. Upper endoscopy and 24-hour pH monitoring were negative. Following hospital admission due to worsening symptoms, she was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) presumed to be related to COVID-19. Her reflux symptoms resolved within two days of the initiation of anticoagulation. Our findings suggest that chronic PE should be considered in patients presenting with GERD refractory to treatment following COVID-19 infection. Generally, as COVID-19 and its sequelae may masquerade as GI conditions, they should be on the differential diagnosis, especially in the post-pandemic era when routine testing has significantly declined.
“…GI symptoms are known to occur in 29% of patients six months after recovery from COVID-19 infection, and, among these, reflux symptoms were reported in 27% [11]. In an Indonesian survey comprising 9,800 patients, it was found that there was an increased rate of GERD during the pandemic compared to the prepandemic period (67.9% vs. 61.8%, respectively, p<0.001) [12]. Other investigators attribute the worsening GERD symptoms to the restrictive lockdown measures during the pandemic [13].…”
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly causes respiratory symptoms. However, a rare segment of patients recovering from COVID-19 may develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We describe a case of a female who presented with symptoms suggestive of refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for 18 months following COVID-19 infection. Her symptoms included epigastric and chest pain, coughing, and vomiting. Upper endoscopy and 24-hour pH monitoring were negative. Following hospital admission due to worsening symptoms, she was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary embolism (PE) presumed to be related to COVID-19. Her reflux symptoms resolved within two days of the initiation of anticoagulation. Our findings suggest that chronic PE should be considered in patients presenting with GERD refractory to treatment following COVID-19 infection. Generally, as COVID-19 and its sequelae may masquerade as GI conditions, they should be on the differential diagnosis, especially in the post-pandemic era when routine testing has significantly declined.
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