Investigating the Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Symptomology Following Receipt of the COVID-19 Vaccine

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented novel and devastating conditions for both the general and high-risk populations. SARS-CoV-2 is known to affect the respiratory tract, however studies have reveals that changes in gastrointestinal (GI) symptomology are also a prevalent side effect. Although the COVID-19 vaccine has been able to alleviate some of the tumultuous circumstances, there is limited research on the lesser-known side effects experienced following receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination.
This study investigated the association between the COVID-19 vaccination and, when applicable, the contraction of acute COVID-19 infection, and resulting onset and/or changes in GI symptomology. The focus of the study was on both the general population and on those previously diagnosed with GI disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the latter defined as a special needs population.
Through a short, anonymous survey, 215 participants were assessed for acute onset of GI issues and/or worsening of pre-existing GI issues following the receipt of one or more COVID-19 vaccine doses and, when it occurred, following contraction of a COVID-19 infection. Participants were requested to report demographic variables as well as descriptive statistics regarding side effects experienced post-COVID-19 vaccination and post-COVID-19 infection, when applicable. All analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 and ANOVA was conducted for each survey item to assess for statistically significant differences between the groups, indicated by an omnibus p-value less than 0.05.
The resulting database demonstrates the prevalence of side effects following receipt of the COVID-19 vaccination to gain an understanding of how both the general and high-risk populations are being affected by the COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses.

Time Period(:    6/20/2022 – 7/18/2022