Assessment of Pain among Patients Recovered from COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge impact on the lives and health of persons worldwide, with potential for developing further effects in coming days. The long-term complications of COVID-19 are starting to emerge and a large number of patients may experience continued effects including pain. The number of patients affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS CoV-2) is much greater than other corona viruses, so spectrum of long term post COVID-19 pain may produce huge burden. So, it is vital to assess the pain in post COVID-19 patients. This study is aimed to assess pain among the patients recovered from COVID-19.Methods: This cross sectional observational study was carried out in pain medicine Out Patient Unit, Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia & Intensive Care Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for a period of one year following ethical approval. A total of 76 patients were included in this study according to the selection criteria. Data were collected using a pre-designed data collection sheet. Assessment of pain was carried out by Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire. Collected data were analysed by statistical software SPSS 23.Results: A total of 225 patients were assessed and the study period prevalence of post COVID-19 pain was 33.78 percent. The average age of the participants was 46.8±14.3 years with a male to female ratio of 43:33. After COVID-19, 49 (64.5%) patients had new onset pain, whereas 27 (35.5%) had exaggerated chronic pain. Most 21 (27.6%) patients was found in chest pain, 20 (26.3%) neck pain, 19 (25.0%) headache and 19 (25.0%) low back pain. Most of the patients (50.0%) had mild pain in intensity right now. Mean pain interference score was 3.8±2.0. The mean pain intensity was considerably higher in older patients (age>50 years), female gender, patients with two or more co-morbidities, and severe COVID-19 infection.Conclusion: Both new onset of pain and exaggeration of chronic pain were observed among the patients recovered from covid-19 disease.