P895 Differences in ulcerative colitis patients regarding COVID-19 status
Straume, Z.(1,2)*;Krūmiņa, N.(3);Ozoliņa, J.(1,2);Krūmiņa, A.(4,5);Skuja, V.(1,2);
(1)Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Clinic, Riga, Latvia;(2)Riga Stradins University, Department of Internal Diseases, Riga, Latvia;(3)Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Gastroenterology- Hepatology and Nutrition Clinic, Riga, Latvia;(4)Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases, Riga, Latvia;(5)Riga Stradins University, Department of Infectology and Dermatology, Riga, Latvia;
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is the novel coronavirus that caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Studies have increasingly reported the involvement of other organs, including the gastrointestinal system, in addition to the respiratory system. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease with an unknown cause. Emerging data suggest that the gastrointestinal system may be influenced by COVID-19 via the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2, but data on the association between COVID-19 and ulcerative colitis, are lacking.
Methods
In 6-month time (June to December 2021) 49 ulcerative colitis (UC) outpatients from Riga East Clinical University Hospital were included in a cross-sectional study. All patients were divided into groups according to medically proven COVID-19 status (COVID-19+ vs COVID-19-) in the last 6 months. Information about diet, IBD medications, food supplements, vitamins, sports activities, marital status, education level, and income level was collected. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20.0.
Results
Out of 49 patients, 33(63.3%) were males and 13(36.7%) were females, median age was 38.0 [IQR=17] years. Fourteen patients (28.6%: 7(50%) in each gender) were Covid-19+ within last 6 months. Median time patients suffered from COVID-19 was 7 [IQR=15.3] days. The most common symptoms were: 11(19.6%) fever, 6(10.7%) rhinitis and 5(8.9%) weakness. The most common diet among all patients was IBD diet 33(67.3%) from those 12(21.4%) were COVID-19- and 4(78.6%) were COVID-19+, p=0.00. Out of 49 patients, 25(44.6%) were using food supplements (fish oil, curcumin, collagen, zinc, calcium) of those 17(30.4%) patients were COVID-19-, 8(14.3%) COVID-19+, p=0.00. Most commonly used vitamins were vitamin D 18(64,3%), from those 15(42.9%) were COVID-19-, 3(21.4%) COVID-19+, p>0.5; vitamin C – 7(32,8%), from those 4(11.4%) were COVID-19-, 3(21.4%) COVID-19+, p>0.5. Twenty-four (49%) were doing sports, of those 18(51.4%) were COVID-19-, 6 (42.9%) COVID+; p>0.5. Most common sports activities were cycling 8(16.3%), running 8(16.3%) and fitness 6(12.2%). Most commonly used IBD medications were mesalazine 35(71.4%), azathioprine 7(14.3%) and biologics 4(8.16%), there were no statistically significant differences between COVID-19+ and COVID-19-. There were no statistically significant differences between marital status, education level, and income regarding COVID-19 status.
Conclusion
COVID-19 was less common among patients who were using food supplements and followed IBD diet.