COVID-19 tied to myalgias, referred pain, and widespread hyperalgesia exacerbating preexisting chronic pain conditions: Study

Recently published paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of chronic pain in patients. The study, conducted on 150 patients with chronic pain conditions for more than three months, revealed that the pandemic had significant effects on the physical and mental well-being of the patients. Majority of the patients were females, with the mean age of 50 ± 13 years, and the most common sites of pain being low back, knee, and neck. The pandemic led to a significant increase in the intensity and frequency of pain, which also affected sleep, working capacity, and mental health of the individuals. It was observed that more than half of the interventional pain procedures were delayed due to the fear of contracting infection, leading to decreased follow-up in the outpatient department.

Findings and discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on chronic pain patients

The findings revealed that chronic pain patients developed coping strategies to manage the pain, and those with comorbidities were the hardest hit. Additionally, the pandemic adversely affected sleep, daily activities, working capacity, and emotional/mental health in individuals with chronic pain. The study also highlighted the association of COVID-19 with myalgias, referred pain, and widespread hyperalgesia, leading to worsening of chronic pain due to exacerbation of preexisting conditions. The paper discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the health of chronic pain patients, in particular, the effects on pain frequency, intensity, and quality, along with the challenges in accessing medical care, including delays in interventional pain procedures and follow-up appointments.

Recommendations and conclusion for chronic pain management during a pandemic

The study emphasized the urgent need to develop training programs for healthcare providers and patients to ensure uninterrupted and safe treatment services for chronic pain patients during a pandemic. The pandemic also brought to light the importance of utilizing digital resources and widening the spectrum of management and coping strategies for chronic pain patients. The paper concluded that it is imperative to ensure continuous treatment for chronic pain patients during and after a pandemic, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to address the challenges faced by chronic pain patients during such health crises. The study acknowledges some limitations, such as being a single-centric, subjective, and questionnaire-based study, and calls for further epidemiologic studies to focus on chronic pain management in the post-pandemic era.

Key Points

1. Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Pain Management: The study focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic pain management in 150 patients with chronic pain conditions lasting more than three months. It was found that the pandemic resulted in a significant increase in the intensity and frequency of pain, leading to adverse effects on sleep, working capacity, and mental health of the individuals. The fear of contracting infection led to delays in interventional pain procedures and decreased follow-up in the outpatient department.

2. Effects on Chronic Pain Patients: The findings highlighted that chronic pain patients developed coping strategies to manage their pain during the pandemic, with those having comorbidities being the most affected. The pandemic also adversely affected sleep, daily activities, working capacity, and emotional/mental health. The study discussed the association of COVID-19 with myalgias, referred pain, and widespread hyperalgesia, which exacerbated preexisting chronic pain conditions.

3. Impact of COVID-19 on Health of Chronic Pain Patients: The paper discussed the impact of the pandemic on the health of chronic pain patients, specifically focusing on pain frequency, intensity, and quality. It also highlighted the challenges in accessing medical care, including delays in interventional pain procedures and follow-up appointments, which further worsened the condition of chronic pain patients.

4. Recommendations for Chronic Pain Management During a Pandemic: The study emphasized the urgent need to develop training programs for healthcare providers and patients to ensure uninterrupted and safe treatment services for chronic pain patients during a pandemic. It also stressed the importance of utilizing digital resources and widening the spectrum of management and coping strategies for chronic pain patients, both during and after a pandemic.

5. Conclusion and Implications: The paper concluded that it is essential to ensure continuous treatment for chronic pain patients during and after a pandemic, and comprehensive strategies are needed to address the challenges faced by chronic pain patients during health crises. The study acknowledged its limitations, such as being a single-centric, subjective, and questionnaire-based study, and called for further epidemiologic studies in the post-pandemic era.

6. Key Findings: Overall, the study highlighted the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on chronic pain management, focusing on the physical and mental well-being of patients, the challenges in accessing medical care, and the importance of developing comprehensive strategies to address the needs of chronic pain patients during and after a pandemic.

Reference –

Malhotra N, Charan N, Budhwar D, Kumar A, Sinha N,Phogat V. Effects of COVID‑19 pandemic on management of patients with chronic pain. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2024, DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_43_24