7 recent reports on COVID-19 in gastroenterology
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Healio Gastroenterology presents the following reports on the most recent research on the intersection of COVID-19 and gastroenterology.
Gastroenterologists have been focused on the COVID-19 vaccine and how it may impact their patients, particularly those with inflammatory bowel disease. These reports also include new research on how the COVID-19 interacts with the microbiome and liver disease.
No benefit from famotidine on COVID-19 outcomes
There was no reduced risk for COVID-19 outcomes among hospitalized patients treated with famotidine, according to study results.
“Several observational studies have investigated the effect of famotidine on COVID-19 outcomes but have been limited to single-institutional explorations of small samples with varying statistical methods and inconsistent results,” Azza Shoaibi, PhD, from Janssen Research and Development, and colleagues wrote. “Real-world data can potentially provide critical and timely evidence on the effectiveness of famotidine on improving COVID-19 outcomes.” READ MORE
High rate of COVID-19 vaccination intent among IBD populations
A relatively high rate of COVID-19 vaccination intent was observed among inflammatory bowel disease populations; however, long-term safety concerns were common, according to study results.
“Targeting outreach and educational interventions toward subpopulations less likely to have vaccination intent may facilitate COVID-19 vaccination efforts,” Rahul S. Dalal, MD, and colleagues wrote in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. READ MORE
Patients with IBD should receive COVID-19 vaccine, despite concerns
Physicians should encourage patients with inflammatory bowel disease to get the COVID-19 vaccination despite lack of studies on the cohort, according to a presentation at the Crohn’s and Colitis Congress.
“For patients with IBD we would advocate, based on [International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD)], that patients get vaccinated, acknowledging that there is a lack of data specifically in IBD patients,” Ryan C. Ungaro, MD, MS, gastroenterologist with Mount Sinai Hospital’s Feinstein IBD Center, told Healio Gastroenterology. “But we think the benefits out weight the risks and based on prior experience with vaccinations in IBD patients.” READ MORE
Treat IBD ‘first and foremost’ in children who contract COVID-19
Children with inflammatory bowel disease who contract COVID-19 generally have mild disease, according to study results.
In her presentation at Crohn’s and Colitis Congress, Erica J. Brenner, MD, from the University of North Carolina, said that her group’s findings show that in in this patient group, physicians should treat IBD “first and foremost.” READ MORE
Gut microbiome composition impacts severity of COVID-19
Correlation between gut microbiota composition, cytokine levels and inflammatory markers among COVID-19 patients demonstrated the gut microbiome is linked with the severity of COVID-19, according to a study in Gut.
“[This] survey of gut microbiota alterations in association with immune dysregulation revealed that gut microorganisms are likely involved in the modulation of host inflammatory responses in COVID-19,” Yun Kit Yeoh, MD, from the department of microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, and colleagues wrote. “With mounting evidence that gut microorganisms are linked with inflammatory diseases within and beyond the gut, these findings underscore an urgent need to understand the specific roles of gut microorganisms in human immune function and systemic inflammation.” READ MORE
VIDEO: Benefit of COVID-19 vaccine outweighs risks in IBD patients
In this exclusive video, Freddy Caldera, DO, MS, assistant professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, spoke about the two recent COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use.
Caldera said if a patient with inflammatory bowel disease fits in the current vaccine allocations, they should receive the vaccine despite any fears of its efficacy in IBD. He said more research will need to be done to determine if IBD patients will benefit from booster shots. Similarly, pregnant women should so the same. READ MORE
Coagulopathy of COVID-19 correlates with liver injury
The coagulopathy of COVID-19 driven by endothelial factor VIII correlated with liver injury, according to a presenter at The Liver Meeting Digital Experience.
“Our study illuminates a mechanism of injury in COVID-19 that was previously unknown,” Matthew McConnell, MD, from the department of internal medicine/digestive diseases at Yale School of Medicine, said during his presentation. “Our study therefore provides a first step toward understanding how patients will be affected long-term after suffering from this liver injury. Our study centers around the global coagulopathy of COVID-19 and defines a mechanism for increased coagulation and factor levels that may be future targets for treatment.” READ MORE
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