Intestinal health in focus: New findings on post-COVID syndrome!

Intestinal health in focus: New findings on post-COVID syndrome!

A research team from the Medical University of Vienna has published new findings about post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and its connection to gastrointestinal health. The study, published in the journal Allergy, sheds light on how changes in gut health are linked to symptoms of post-viral fatigue. According to the results, PCS patients show significant changes in inflammatory markers and a disrupted intestinal barrier, indicating long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the immune system. The study was led by Eva Untersmayr-Elsenhuber, who works in the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology.

The investigation was made possible by analyzing data from a prospective observational study of SARS-CoV-2 infections and gastrointestinal disorders. Blood, saliva and stool samples from PSC patients were evaluated. Pre-existing gastrointestinal disorders were found to be a risk factor for the development of post-viral fatigue. Among the biomarkers detected are an increased LBP/sCD14 ratio, lower IL-33 values ​​and increased IL-6 levels.

Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms

A comprehensive meta-analysis examining 50 studies on the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms in Long COVID has shown that approximately 22% of Long COVID patients suffer from GI symptoms. The most common symptoms include abdominal pain (14%), nausea/vomiting (6%) and loss of appetite (20%) [ PMC ]. These symptoms occurred not only in severe cases, but also in mild cases of COVID-19.

The heterogeneity of the study data suggests different manifestations of gastrointestinal phenomena. Study results show that around 10 to 20 percent of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop long-term symptoms, affecting several million people worldwide. Research into predisposing factors and biomarkers for PCS for personalized therapy is still ongoing, with initial results from Vienna already pointing in this direction.

Context and factors involved

Post-COVID syndrome, which occurs more than twelve weeks after contracting COVID-19, is not defined as a uniform clinical picture. Many organ systems can include the diverse health aftereffects. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the exact number of those affected cannot yet be reliably estimated. However, according to current knowledge, younger adults and women are more commonly affected. Existing health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease also increase the risk of post-COVID symptoms [ Heiligenfeld ].

Research continues to better understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 and develop potential treatment strategies. Monitoring gastrointestinal symptoms and biomarkers could help identify at-risk patients early and promote targeted treatment approaches. Further studies are planned to validate recent findings and identify predictive markers for PCS.