Prevalence, affected joints and intensity of the arthralgias in individuals in the chronic phase of Chikungunya fever

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic arthralgias caused in patients affected by Chikungunya fever bring repercussions that negatively impact the lives of these individuals. The primary objective of this study was to observe the prevalence, affected joints and intensity of the arthralgias in individuals in the chronic phase of Chikungunya fever. The secondary objective was to identify the factors associated with the presence of the arthralgias in these individuals. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 80 volunteers, of both genders, with age range between 20-80 years, with clinical and/or laboratory diagnosis of Chikungunya fever. The arthralgias were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and pain intensity using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: 91% (n=73) of the sample reported recurrent arthralgias, at approximately 34.7±2.20 months, with a greater predominance in the morning (50.7%). The joints that showed the highest prevalence of pain were knees (68.8%), followed by the ankles (66.3%) and wrists (63.8%). Knees (4.81±0.40), ankles (4.66±0.42) and metacarpophalangeal (4.33±0.43) were the joints with greatest pain intensity. In addition to that, overweight was associated with the presence of arthralgias (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of arthralgias was observed, of a recurrent character and a greater predominance in the morning. The joints most affected by pain were knees, ankles and the wrists and arthralgias were more intense in the knees, ankles and metacarpophalangeal joints. Overweight was a factor associated with the presence of arthralgias in individuals affected by Chikungunya fever.