The incidence, characteristics, impact and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain in Thailand: A single-center cross-sectional study

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 1; p. e0296700
• Main Authors: Wangnamthip, Suratsawadee, Zinboonyahgoon, Nantthasorn, Rushatamukayanunt, Pranee, Papaisarn, Patcha, Pajina, Burapa, Jitsinthunun, Thanawut, Promsin, Panuwat, Sirijatuphat, Rujipas, Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, César, Arendt-Nielsen, Lars, de Andrade, Daniel Ciampi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 12.01.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Chronic infection; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - complications; Chronic Pain - epidemiology; COVID-19; COVID-19 - complications; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data collection; Development and progression; Disease; Extremities; Fatigue; Female; Females; Headache; Health aspects; Hospital patients; Hospitalization; Hospitals; Humans; Incidence; Infection; Infections; Interviews; Medical records; Medical research; Medical screening; Medicine, Experimental; Olfaction disorders; Pain; Pandemics; Patients; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Thailand - epidemiology; Ventilators; Viral diseases; Thailand; Denmark
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296700

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of individuals worldwide. Pain has emerged as a significant post-COVID-19 symptom. This study investigated the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain (PCCP) in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted in participants who had been infected, including those hospitalized and monitored at home by SARS-CoV-2 from August to September 2021. Data were collected for screening from medical records, and phone interviews were done between 3 to 6 months post-infection. Participants were classified into 1) no-pain, 2) PCCP, 3) chronic pain that has been aggravated by COVID-19, or 4) chronic pain that has not been aggravated by COVID-19. Pain interference and quality of life were evaluated with the Brief Pain Inventory and EuroQol Five Dimensions Five Levels Questionnaire. From 1,019 participants, 90% of the participants had mild infection, assessed by WHO progression scale. The overall incidence of PCCP was 3.2% (95% CI 2.3-4.5), with 2.8% (95% CI 2.0-4.1) in mild infection, 5.2% (95% CI 1.2-14.1) in moderate infection and 8.5% (95% CI 3.4-19.9) in severe infection. Most participants (83.3%) reported pain in the back and lower extremities and were classified as musculoskeletal pain and headache (8.3%). Risk factors associated with PCCP, included female sex (relative risk [RR] 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-4.9) and greater COVID-19 severity (RR 3.5, 95% CI 1.1-11.7). Participants with COVID-19-related exacerbated chronic pain displayed higher pain interferences and lower utility scores than other groups. In conclusion, this study highlights the incidence, features, and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain (PCCP) in Thailand. It emphasizes the need to monitor and address PCCP, especially in severe cases, among females, and individuals with a history of chronic pain to improve their quality of life in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.