Behavioural and Occupational Adaptations in Predominantly Vaccinated Individuals Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Background and Aims The COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted the behaviours and occupations of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. We studied behavioural changes in persons with inflammatory bowel disease during the pandemic and examined their association with COVID‐19. Methods We surveyed 556 adults diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease through an online self‐report questionnaire at baseline. A follow‐up questionnaire was completed by a subset of 223 participants. Participants provided demographic, occupational and social behaviour data (e.g., restaurant visits, using public transportation) at three time periods: January–March 2020 (i.e., pre‐pandemic), January–September 2021 (during restrictions) and January–March 2022 (Omicron era). Proportions for high‐frequency behaviours (daily to once per week vs. less than once per week) across the three time periods are reported. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between behaviours and Omicron‐era COVID‐19 cases. Results Behaviours declined from January–March 2020 to January–September 2021, and increased in January–March 2022 but did not return to pre‐pandemic levels. Restaurant visits decreased from 33.8% pre‐pandemic to 7.2% in the January–September 2021 period ( p < 0.001), before increasing to 19.3% in the January–March 2022 period ( p < 0.001). Dining at restaurants daily to once per week was associated with a 3.24‐fold (95% CI: 1.58, 6.65) increase in the odds of COVID‐19 infection compared to dining less than once per week. Conclusions Restaurant dining was associated with higher COVID‐19 among those with inflammatory bowel disease. Changes in social behaviours throughout the pandemic likely reflect adaptations in response to evolving public health policies and guidelines.