the effect of sinopharm covid-19 vaccine on fecal calprotectin levels and clinical symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis

Background: the ongoing covid-19 pandemic has raised concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccination in immunocompromised patients, including those with inflammatory bowel disease (ibd). in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the sinopharm anti-covid-19 vaccine on fecal calprotectin (fcp) levels and clinical symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis (uc).methods: a total of 28 patients with uc (8 females and 20 males), with a mean age of 40.8 ± 9.7 years, were enrolled in the study. most patients were receiving 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-asa) agents. all patients received the sinopharm anti-covid-19 vaccine. fecal calprotectin levels and clinical symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 2 and 12 weeks after vaccination. the lichtiger score and mayo score were used to evaluate clinical symptoms.results: no ibd-related adverse events were reported following vaccination. there was no significant difference in fcp levels between baseline and 2 weeks after vaccination. however, a significant decrease in fcp levels was observed at 12 weeks after vaccination compared to baseline and 2 weeks post-vaccination. similarly, a significant improvement in clinical symptoms was noted at 2 and 12 weeks after vaccination compared to baseline, as evidenced by a reduction in the lichtiger score. there was no association between vaccination and the clinical bleeding score (mayo score). none of the other parameters, including location of injury, type of medication, or sex, were associated with fcp levels, lichtiger score, or mayo score.conclusion: the results of this study suggest that the sinopharm anti-covid-19 vaccine is safe for patients with ibd and does not lead to exacerbation of uc symptoms.