The Impact of Quarantine on Pain Sensation among the General Population in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Jie Sun,Shui-Qing Li,Yong-Bo Zheng,Xi-Mei Zhu,Su-Hua Chang,Lin Lu,Ming-Zhe Li,Yan-Ping Bao,Jie Shi,Xiao-Guang Liu,Xuan Chen,Lin Liu,Jian-Yu Que,Nan Gao,Kai Yuan,Yi-Miao Zhao,Wei-Jian Liu,Wei Yan

doi:10.3390/brainsci12010079

Abstract

During the pandemic era, quarantines might potentially have negative effects and disproportionately exacerbate health condition problems. We conducted this cross-sectional, national study to ascertain the prevalence of constant pain symptoms and how quarantines impacted the pain symptoms and identify the factors associated with constant pain to further guide reducing the prevalence of chronic pain for vulnerable people under the pandemic. The sociodemographic data, quarantine conditions, mental health situations and pain symptoms of the general population were collected. After adjusting for potential confounders, long-term quarantine (≥15 days) exposures were associated with an increased risk of constant pain complaints compared to those not under a quarantine (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.26; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03, 1.54; p = 0.026). Risk factors including unemployment (OR: 1.55), chronic disease history (OR: 2.38) and infection with COVID-19 (OR: 2.15), and any of mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety, insomnia and PTSD (OR: 5.44) were identified by a multivariable logistic regression. Additionally, mediation analysis revealed that the effects of the quarantine duration on pain symptoms were mediated by mental health symptoms (indirect effects: 0.075, p < 0.001). These results advocated that long-term quarantine measures were associated with an increased risk of experiencing pain, especially for vulnerable groups with COVID-19 infection and with mental health symptoms. The findings also suggest that reducing mental distress during the pandemic might contribute to reducing the burden of pain symptoms and prioritizing interventions for those experiencing a long-term quarantine.

Highlights

According to the WHO, a quarantine is the separation and restriction of the movement of people who have potentially been exposed to a contagious disease
It is necessary for research to ascertain the prevalence of pain during quarantines and the influence of quarantines on pain sensations and identify the risk factors associated with pain to further inform interventions to mitigate pain for vulnerable groups under pandemic conditions and reduce opioid overdoses
We identified several characteristics associated with constant pain symptoms: chronic disease history, being infected by COVID-19, unemployment due to the pandemic and with mental health symptoms during the pandemic

Summary

Introduction

According to the WHO, a quarantine is the separation and restriction of the movement of people who have potentially been exposed to a contagious disease. Chronic pain affects more than 30% of people worldwide and results in significant public health and socioeconomic burdens [3]. The premise that quarantines may result in a high prevalence of mental issues is underscored by a growing body of epidemiological literature [7,8,9,10] and previous research found social isolation during the pandemic made chronic pain population suffering more [11]. It is necessary for research to ascertain the prevalence of pain during quarantines and the influence of quarantines on pain sensations and identify the risk factors associated with pain to further inform interventions to mitigate pain for vulnerable groups under pandemic conditions and reduce opioid overdoses

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Conclusion