P1155 Impact of COVID19 pandemic and vaccination among IBD patients: a multinational cross sectional survey

Abstract

The aim of current study is to evaluate impact of COVID19 pandemic and vaccination against it on the course and symptoms of IBD. During a six months’ period, all of the IBD cases who attend in outpatient clinics of nine referral centers in 6 countries include and request to fill a questionnaire about their demographic characters and pattern of IBD, any history of involvement with COVID19 and their vaccination history. overall 812 cases from 16 countries included (52.4% male) with average age of 36.8 y (range 7 – 76). 68.5% of participants diagnosed as UC and 29.5% as CD. 80% of participants have vaccinated against COVID19 (average 2.3 times, range 1 – 5). Among those who vaccinated (group A) 31.6% experienced side effects and complication without any mortality. The most common complications of vaccination include fever (24%), fatigue (20.1%) and anorexia 8.6%. The most common reasons for vaccination refusal (group B) were fear of vaccine complication (55.5%), no believe in vaccine protection (29.6%) and fear of immunocompromised condition (17.9%). In group A overall 61% of participants involved with COVID 19 (36.2% after vaccination) in comparison with 48.1% in group B (P = 0.0052). Most of the involvements in both groups were not sever and just a minority of patients admitted to hospital (10% in group A and 6.4% in group B). Following COVID involvement, 45.1% of cases suffered with GI symptoms (mostly diarrhea (72.5%) and abdominal pain (64.5%)). In group A, 37.3% of involvements have happened before vaccination. Vaccination against COVID19 is safe and effective among IBD patients and following vaccination, most of complications are minor and negligible. In case of COVID involvement, it would not be serious and there is no need to hold the medications. Among IBD patients, the most common reason for vaccination refusal is fear of vaccine side effect.