The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are indicators of central sensitisation in patients post covid-19 infection.
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently a serious global public health concern. This disease is caused by a novel coronavirus which was first discovered in Wuhan, China in 2019 and later spread rapidly throughout the world. Symptoms of the disease can manifest as fever, cough, encephalitis, myalgia, fatigue, muscle weakness, arthralgia, anosmia, and impairment in other bodily functions in the acute phase. In 17% to 67% of cases, COVID-19 patients will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and critical illness. Besides the impact on the respiratory system, coronaviruses have an effect on other systems including the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and gastrointestinal system. The term central sensitivity syndrome (CSS) describes a group of medically nonspecific disorders, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome, for which central sensitivity might be a common etiology. Despite the lack of a solid outcome measurement, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was previously introduced as a screening instrument for clinicians to help identify patients with a CSS. Furthermore, quantitative sensory testing can be used to identify and quantify sensory disfunctions by evaluating a variety of parameters including pain thresholds, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Previous research in patients with chronic pain resulted in less efficacious CPM, increased nociceptive facilitation and decreased pain thresholds. In post covid-19 patients, potential long-term secondary effects on the musculoskeletal system such as muscle weakness, decreased muscle mass, and myopathies have been brought under attention. Persisting symptoms are a frequently reported complaint in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection with at least 1 symptom, particularly fatigue and dyspnea. Fatigue is also one of the core symptoms in central sensitisation disorders, leading to the hypothesis that central sensitisation might be the underlying common etiology in chronic pain patients and patients post COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are indicators of central sensitisation in patients post covid-19 infection.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Indicators of central sensitisation, assessed by the Central Sensitization Inventory
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Jette, Brussels Capital, Belgium
RECRUITINGSymptoms of Central Sensitisation
Symptoms of central sensitisation will be measured with the Central Sensitization Inventory.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
Pressure pain thresholds
Pressure pain thresholds will be measured at the trapezius and rectus femoris muscles with an algometer.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
Temporal summation
Temporal summation will be measured with 10 consecutive pressure pulses at the trapezius and rectus femoris muscles with an algometer.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
Descending nociceptive inhibition
Descending nociceptive inhibition will be measured with a conditioned pain modulation protocol with algometer as test stimulus and the cold pressor task.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
Functionality and disability
Functional status will be evaluated by the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
Functionality and disability
Level of dyspnea during activities of daily living will be evaluated by the London chest Activity of Daily Living scale.
Time frame: Once, at the moment of the study visit.
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