COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbation of ulcerative colitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND

In 2020, the world faced the unprecedented crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Besides the infection and its consequences, COVID-19 also resulted in anxiety and stress resulting from severe restrictions on economic and social activities, including for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Fresh acute stress exerts stronger influences than continuous stress on UC patients. We therefore hypothesized that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would have serious effects on UC patients and performed this retrospective control study.

AIM

To determine whether the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would have serious effects on UC patients included in a retrospective controlled study.

METHODS

A total of 289 consecutive UC outpatients seen in March and April 2020 were included in this study. Modified UC disease activity index (UC-DAI) scores on the day of entry and at the previous visit were compared. An increase of ≥ 2 was considered to indicate exacerbation. The exacerbation rate was also compared with that in 256 consecutive control patients independently included in the study from the same period of the previous year in the same manner.

RESULTS

No significant differences in patient characteristics or pharmacotherapies before entry were seen between the groups. Mean UC-DAI score was significantly higher in subjects during the first wave of COVID-19 (0.67 + 0.07) compared to the previous visit (0.26 + 0.04; P = 0.0000). The exacerbation rate was significantly increased during the first wave of COVID-19, as compared with the previous year (15.9% [46/289] vs 8.9% [23/256]; P = 0.0151).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused exacerbations in UC patients, probably through psychological and physical stress.

Core Tip: Previous reports have suggested that physical and mental stress can exacerbate ulcerative colitis (UC). The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused anxiety and stress due to severe restrictions on economic and social activities. We demonstrated, for the first time, that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic induced UC exacerbations. Preventive treatments such as increased 5-ASA or local administration may be preferable in situations predicted to be stressful such as pandemics.

INTRODUCTION

In 2020, the global population faced an unprecedented crisis in the form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)[1]. As the number of infected patients increased, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic on March 11[2]. The number of patients also increased in Japan and the Japanese government declared a state of emergency on April 7[3]. The number of patients peaked on April 18 and then gradually decreased[4]. This was considered the first wave of COVID-19, which was followed by second and third waves after the government terminated the initial declaration. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa with bloody diarrhea. The clinical course is usually unpredictable, marked by alternating periods of exacerbation and remission[5].

Many gastroenterologists and patients think that psychological and physical stress factors can exacerbate UC[6-7]. The Great East Japan Earthquake was shown to increase the risk of exacerbations among UC patients[8-9]. Stress undoubtedly contributes to disease course in UC patients. H. Engler et al[10] demonstrated the possibility that neuroendocrine regulation of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production such as IL-10 by peripheral blood immune cells may play roles in flares of UC patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of UC flare by stress remain unclear[10].

Besides the infection and its direct consequences, including the loss of many lives, COVID-19 was shown to bring about anxiety and stress as a result of restrictions on economic and social activities for UC patients as well as everybody else[11-12]. We therefore hypothesized that UC patients would experience serious effects from COVID-19.

This study focused on the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in a retrospective controlled study investigating the effects on exacerbations of UC among patients in Koshigaya district, a suburban area of Tokyo, Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients

During March and April 2020, representing the period of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 289 consecutive UC outpatients in one center were enrolled in the study. All included patients regularly visited the clinic. Patients who visited for the first time after exacerbation of symptoms were excluded from the study. All included patients visited the clinic at least twice at entry. Only patients who visited for the first time after exacerbation of symptoms were excluded from the study.

Modified UC-disease activity index

The modified UC disease activity index (UC-DAI) was evaluated for each patient. The modified UC-DAI is defined as the total scores for stool frequency (normal, 0; 1–2 stools/d more than normal, + 1; 3–4 stools/d more than normal, + 2; > 4 stools/d more than normal, + 3), rectal bleeding (none, 0; blood visible with stool less than half the time, + 1; blood visible with stool half the time or more, + 2; passage of blood only, + 3), and physician rating of disease activity (normal, 0; mild, + 1; moderate, + 2; severe, + 3). Mucosal appearance at endoscopy was excluded from the modified UC-DAI[13]. Modified UC-DAI scores on the day of entry and at the previous visit were compared for each patient. An increase of ≥ 2 was considered to indicate exacerbation. The exacerbation rate was calculated and compared with that of 256 consecutive control patients independently included in the study from the same period of the previous year (March–April 2019) in the same manner. Modified UC-DAI scores of patients during the first wave of COVID-19 were compared with those at the previous visit.

This retrospective study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center (approval no. 20100), and written, informed consent was obtained from all UC patients. This study conformed to the ethical guidelines of the 2008 Declaration of Helsinki. All data were obtained from clinical records which were written on the day of the patient visit.

All patients provided informed consent to participate in this study and agreed to publication of the research results. The public were not involved in the design of this study.

Statistical analysis

Quantitative data are presented as mean ± SD. Discrete variables are presented as median and range. The Mann-Whitney U test or χ² test was used to compare patients and control patients. The χ² test was used to test for differences in exacerbation rates between the groups. Values of P < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Characteristics

Characteristics (age, weight, height, smoking rate, sex, pancolitis rate, and medication before entry) were compared between patients and control patients.

No significant differences were identified between patients and controls in terms of mean age (45.0 ± 15.8 years vs 44.6 ± 15.6 years), weight (60.1 ± 11.3 kg vs 59.9 ± 11.2 kg), height (163.6 ± 8.6 cm vs 163.2 ± 8.4 cm), disease duration (11.6 ± 8.5 years vs 10.9 ± 8.2 years), smokers (23.8% vs 25.3%), sex (50.8% male vs 48.8% male), disease extent, or pancolitis rate (47.0% vs 50.1%) (Table 1).

Table 1.

Characteristics of the study participants

	Subjects (n = 289)	Controls (n = 256)	Probability
Age (yr)	45.0 ± 15.8	44.6 ± 15.6	0.6911
Sex (M/F)	147/141	125/131	0.6351
Height (cm)	163.6 ± 8.6	163.2 ± 8.4	0.6679
Weight (kg)	60.1 ± 11.3	59.9 ± 11.2	0.7465
Disease duration (yr)	11.6 ± 8.5	10.9 ± 8.2	0.3227
Smokers	69 (23.8%)	65 (25.3%)	0.7426
Disease extent
Total colitis	136 (47.0%)	129 (50.1%)	0.4373

No significant differences were seen between patients and patient controls for age, weight, height, disease duration, smoker rate, sex, or disease extent as total colitis rate.

Pharmacotherapies

Pharmacotherapies before entry did not differ significantly between patients and control patients (Table 2).

Table 2.

Pharmacotherapies used before presentation in patients and controls

Drug	Patients (n = 289)	Controls (n = 256)
5-ASA	165 (57.0%)	148 (57.8%)
AZA or
6-MP	35 (12.1%)	33 (12.8%)
IFX	36 (12.4%)	34 (13.2%)
ADA	26 (8.9%)	19 (7.4%)
GLM	9 (3.1%)	8 (3.1%)
TFN	2 (0.6%)	0 (0%)
TF	8 (2.7%)	6 (2.3%)
IR	5 (1.7%)	6 (2.3%)
PSL	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)
CHM	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)
ND	1 (0.3%)	0 (0%)

Medications used before presentation did not differ significantly between subjects and controls. ASA: Aminosalicylic acid; AZA: Azathioprine; MP: Mercapton; IFX: Infliximab; ADA: Adalimumab; GLM: Golimumab; TFN: Tofacitinib; TF: Topical formulation; IR: Intestinal regulator; PSL: Prednisolone; CHM: Chinese herbal medicine; ND: No drug.

Modified UC-DAI

Mean modified UC-DAI score was significantly higher in patients during the first wave of COVID-19 (0.67 + 0.07) than at the previous visit (0.26 + 0.04; P = 0.0000) (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Ulcerative colitis disease activity index score during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic as compared with the previous visit (n = 289). During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan (March–April 2020), consecutive ulcerative colitis (UC) patients presenting to our clinic were enrolled in this study. Mean modified UC-disease activity index was significantly higher on the day of entry than at the previous visit. UC-DAI: Ulcerative colitis disease activity index.

Mean modified UC-DAI score during the whole pandemic period (March and April 2020) was 0.44 ± 1.04, compared with 0.26 ± 0.73 during the control period. We thus concluded that overall UC-DAI score was significantly higher during the pandemic period than during the control period (P = 0.0192).

Exacerbation rate in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Exacerbation during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly more frequent in patients (46/289, 15.9%) than in control patients (23/256, 8.9%; P = 0.0151) (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Exacerbation rates in patients and controls. Exacerbation of ulcerative colitis was significantly more frequent during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic than in the control period the previous year, occurring in 46 patients (15.9%) and 23 controls (8.9%; P = 0.0151).

Assumed stress of exacerbation during the pandemic

Questionnaires on stress during the pandemic revealed that among the 46 patients who experienced exacerbation during the pandemic, 35 reported stress due to the disease, 6 reported stress due to their jobs, 3 reported stress due to staying home, and 2 reported non-specific stress (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Factors causing stress in patients with exacerbation. Questionnaires on stress during the pandemic revealed that among the 46 patients who experienced exacerbation during the pandemic, 35 reported mental stress induced by coronavirus disease 2019, 6 felt stress due to their jobs, 3 felt stress due to having to stay home, and 2 felt unspecified stress.

DISCUSSION

We demonstrated that the exacerbation rate among UC patients was significantly increased during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared with controls.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare is induced by psychological and physical stressors[6]. Moreover, Dion et al[14] demonstrated that fresh and acute stress exerts a stronger influence than long-term or continuous stress. In Japan, right after the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the number of patients with COVID-19 increased, peaking on April 18 and gradually decreasing in April. This represented the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan[4]. Many people would have been deeply anxious about the disease during this period[15]. We therefore hypothesized that the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would have exerted a greater influence on UC patients than the second or third waves. The stress on individuals would have been significant during this period, even among patients not actually infected with the virus. No patient included in this study developed COVID-19. We chose the time period right after the WHO declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic for this study. COVID-19 has influenced human lives in many ways. Japan has not experienced city-wide lockdowns as in European countries or the United States. However, COVID-19 has exerted significant effects on exacerbations in UC patients. As depicted in the results, the majority of patients who experienced exacerbation reported non-specific stress. However, they may well have felt unconsciously anxious or uneasy under circumstances in which nobody knew what would happen next. Trindade et al[16] demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have exerted relevant effects on psychological well-being in UC patients. In Japan, the government declared a state of emergency, but no lockdowns or curfews. However, residents were still requested to refrain from going out unnecessarily. The operation of many recreational facilities was restricted[3]. Many workers were required to work from home using the internet to reduce the risk of infection, but this resulted in mental, physical and social isolation[17]. Together with school closures, many people suffered from the compounding burdens of working at home and caring for children[18].

As we evaluated the effect of the first wave of the COVD-19 pandemic which had already taken place, our study is retrospective and it is essentially impossible to evaluate the findings of endoscopy before the first wave of the pandemic. Therefore, we used the modified UC-DAI (without endoscopic findings) instead of UC-DAI, as we described in the methods, which resulted in less subjective quality of this study. However, we set up two controls: modified UC-DAI at last visits and pairs of modified UC-DAI in the previous year, which provided our study with more subjective verifications.

In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused exacerbations in UC patients, probably through psychological and physical stress, which is new and has not been shown previously. Healthcare professionals involved in managing IBD should pay attention to the psychological responses of patients to this pandemic and of possible ramifications for disease expression.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

In 2020, the global population was faced with the unprecedented crisis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Besides the infection and its consequences, COVID-19 also resulted in anxiety and stress resulting from severe restrictions on economic and social activities.

Research motivation

Fresh, acute stress exerts stronger influences than continuous stress on ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, presenting in forms such as exacerbation.

Research objectives

To determine whether this first wave had serious effects on UC patients included in a retrospective controlled study.

Research methods

A total of 289 consecutive UC out-patients visited our clinic, who were included into the study, We assessed the modified UC disease activity index (UC-DAI) in each patient.

Research results

The exacerbation rate was significantly increased during the first wave of COVID-19, as compared with the previous year. Mean UC-DAI score was significantly higher in subjects during the first wave of COVID-19 than at the previous visit.

Research conclusions

This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused exacerbations in UC patients, probably through psychological and physical stress.

Research perspectives

Healthcare professionals involved in managing inflammatory bowel disease should pay attention to the psychological responses of patients to this pandemic and of possible ramifications for disease expression. Preventive treatment such as increased 5-ASA or local administration may be preferable in situations predicted to be stressful such as pandemics.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank Takamiya, Aoki, Sugimoto, Suga, and Wakabayashi of Morio Clinic for preparing the patient list.

Data sharing statement

No additional data are available.