Long COVID and Digestive Symptoms: What the Research Tells Us
Research summary exploring digestive manifestations of Long COVID, including gut microbiome changes, IBS risk and potential treatment approaches.
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A study published in Nature Medicine in 2024 examined the long-term health effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or Long Covid, over a 3-year period. Using data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, researchers followed 135,161 COVID-19 survivors (both hospitalized and non-hospitalized) and 5,206,835 controls.
Key findings:
- Non-hospitalized individuals: Increased risk of death disappeared after the first year, but risk of PASC declined over 3 years yet still contributed to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the third year.
- Hospitalized individuals: Risk of death declined but remained significantly elevated in the third year. Risk of PASC also declined but substantial residual risk remained, leading to 90.0 DALYs per 1,000 persons in the third year.
- Top five organ systems affected (in order): neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, coagulation and hematologic, and mental disorders.
The study concluded that while risks reduce over time, the burden of mortality and health loss remains significant in the third year among hospitalized individuals.
To read the full study click here.
