DG Journal Club
BACKGROUND Pain is a clinical feature of COVID-19, however data about persistent pain after hospital discharge, especially among ICU survivors is scarce. The aim of this study is to explore the incidence and characteristics of new-onset pain and its impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and to quantify the presence of mood disorders in critically ill COVID-19 survivors.
METHODS This is a preliminary report of PAIN-COVID trial (NCT04394169) presenting a descriptive analysis in critically ill COVID-19 survivors, following in person interview one month after hospital discharge. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. HRQoL was evaluated with the EQ 5D/5L, and mood disorders with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
RESULTS From May 27 th to July 19 th , 2020, 203 patients were consecutively screened for eligibility, and 65 were included in this analysis. Of these, 50.8% patients reported new-onset pain; 38.5% clinically significant pain (numerical rating score ≥3 for average pain intensity); 16.9% neuropathic pain; 4.6% pain catastrophizing thoughts, 44.6% pain in ≥2 body sites and 7.7% widespread pain. Patients with new-onset pain had a worse EQ-VAS and EQ index value (p<0.001). Pain intensity was negatively correlated to both the former (Spearman Rho:-0.546, p<0.001) and the latter (Spearman Rho:-0.387, p=0.001). HADS anxiety and depression values equal or above eight were obtained in 10.8 % and 7.7% of patients, respectively.
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