Chronic pain in patients with COVID-19: Cross sectional study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious caused by SARS-CoV-2. Symptoms of COVID-19 are variable, but often include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, and loss smell or taste. Neurological complications cerebrovascular incidents, acute polyneuropathy myelitis. The aim this cross-sectional study was to establish the prevalence chronic pain in patients. Methods: All participants were prospectively evaluated. Pain assessed with use painDETECT DN4 questionnaires. Results: Fifty-two COVID019 patients (67% females, mean age 48.4 ± 16.1 years) 52 gender matched healthy volunteers recruited. Patients evaluated on average 4.2 2.9 months after being diagnosed COVID-19. From classic symptoms, 50% had anosmia/hyposmia, 48% ageusia/hypogeusia, 40% 39% 35% myalgias 31% fever. 70% group 73% volunteer group. most commonly reported painful area both groups lower back (35% control group). In 7 (6 neuropathic, 1 nociceptive) developed whereas 3 worsening their pre-existing (2 nociceptive). group, significantly older compared without (51.8 17.0 years vs 40.9 10.7 years, p = 0.022). No differences between two sub-groups found regarding gender, BMI, symptoms duration interval since infection. Conclusions: Chronic very prevalent suffered from its similar observed general population. However, one 5 reports that deteriorated pain, particularly should be considered as symptom post-COVID syndrome.