The incidence, characteristics, impact and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain in Thailand: A single-center cross-sectional study
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
eISSN
19326203
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85182302715
Pubmed ID
38215071
Journal Title
PLoS ONE
Volume
19
Issue
1 January
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
PLoS ONE Vol.19 No.1 January (2024)
Suggested Citation
Wangnamthip S., Zinboonyahgoon N., Rushatamukayanunt P., Papaisarn P., Pajina B., Jitsinthunun T., Promsin P., Sirijatuphat R., Fernández-Delas-Peñas C., Arendt-Nielsen L., de Andrade D.C. The incidence, characteristics, impact and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain in Thailand: A single-center cross-sectional study. PLoS ONE Vol.19 No.1 January (2024). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0296700 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/95671
Title
The incidence, characteristics, impact and risk factors of post-COVID chronic pain in Thailand: A single-center cross-sectional study
Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
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.