Factors associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain in individuals
with long-COVID after hospital discharge: cross-sectional study

Igor da Silva Bonfim; Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira; Ney Armando Meziat-Filho; Arthur de Sá Ferreira; Renato Santos de-Almeida

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.202558-en

Artigo Original

Factors associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain in individuals with long-COVID after hospital discharge: cross-sectional study

Fatores associadas à dor crônica musculoesquelética em indivíduos com COVID-longa após alta hospitalar: estudo transversal

Igor da Silva Bonfim; Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira; Ney Armando Meziat-Filho; Arthur de Sá Ferreira; Renato Santos de-Almeida

http://dx.doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.202558-en BrJP, vol.8, e202558, 2025

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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 have a higher prevalence of pain compared to patients hospitalized for other health conditions. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and factors associated with the occurrence and intensity of pain in a population discharged from hospital after COVID-19.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The study recruited 247 participants through social media and telephone contact. Associations between clinical variables were identified using Odds Ratio and logistic regression..

RESULTS: The rate of occurrence of pain after hospitalization for COVID-19 was 87%. Logistic regression showed that female gender (OR= 4.51 95% CI 1.83-11.13), low family income (OR= 4.62 95% CI 1.75-12.22), pain in the acute phase of the disease, mechanical ventilatory support, hospital discharge less than one year ago (OR= 4.62 95% CI 1.73-12.32) and comorbidities (OR= 0.22 95% CI 0.08-0.61) are associated with the occurrence of pain. Female gender (OR = 3.46 95% CI 1.71-7.02), low family income, hospital discharge less than one year ago, longer hospital stay (OR = 1.02 95% CI 1.00-1.03), two or more areas of pain (OR = 2.51 95% CI 1.40-4.52) and mechanical ventilatory support (OR = 0.37 95% CI 0.16-0.84) are associated with pain intensity.

CONCLUSION: The occurrence of pain is high in individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 even 12 months after discharge. Logistic regression models explain 31% of the occurrence of pain and 21% of pain intensity in patients discharged after hospitalization for COVID-19.

Keywords

Musculoskeletal pain; Pain; Patient discharge; Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Pacientes internados por COVID-19 tem maior predominância de dor quando comparados a pacientes internados por outras condições de saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a frequência e os fatores associados a ocorrência e intensidade da dor em uma população que recebeu alta hospitalar após a COVID-19.

MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram recrutados 247 participantes através das mídias sociais e contato telefônico. As associações entre variáveis clínicas foram identificadas por meio da Odds Ratio e regressão logística.

RESULTADOS: A taxa de ocorrência de dor após internação hospitalar por COVID-19 foi de 87%. A regressão logística mostrou que sexo feminino (OR= 4,51 95% IC 1,83-11,13), baixa renda familiar (OR= 4,62 95% IC 1,75-12,22), dor na fase aguda da doença, suporte ventilatório mecânico, alta hospitalar há menos de um ano (OR= 4,62 95% IC 1,73-12,32) e comorbidades (OR= 0,22 95% IC 0,08-0,61) estão associadas à ocorrência de dor. O sexo feminino (OR= 3,46 95% IC 1,71-7,02), baixa renda familiar, alta hospitalar há menos de um ano, maior tempo de internação hospitalar (OR= 1,02 95% IC 1,00-1,03), duas ou mais áreas de dor (OR= 2,51 95% IC 1,40-4,52) e suporte ventilatório mecânico (OR= 0,37 95% IC 0,16-0,84) estão associados à intensidade da dor.

CONCLUSÃO: A ocorrência de dor foi elevada em indivíduos hospitalizados por COVID-19 mesmo 12 meses após a alta. Os modelos de regressão logística explicam 31% da ocorrência de dor e 21% da intensidade da dor em pacientes que receberam alta hospitalar após internação por COVID-19.

Palavras-chave

Alta do paciente; Dor; Dor musculoesquelética; Síndrome de COVID-19 pós-aguda

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Submetido em:
16/12/2024

Aceito em:
22/04/2025