Characterization of Long Covid Pain in Primary Care

Overview

Justification: among the sequelae of Covid-19 in clinical practice we frequently find persistent neuromusculoskeletal pain. Prevalence data and the underlying mechanisms of such pain are very limited in the scientific literature. Therefore, with this research we will try to answer these questions. Main objective: to determine and characterize persistent musculoskeletal pain in Covid-19 patients. Method: two phases. First, a descriptive cross-sectional study will be carried out to estimate the prevalence of Long Covid Pain (LCP). Second phase, a case-control study will be carried out using the sample obtained in the first phase as the population. The sample will be divided into two groups: post-Covid-19 patients with LCP and post-Covid-19 patients without persistent pain (control group). The two groups will be matched according to sex, age and level of severity of the pathology. An assessment and comparison between groups will be made of the following variables: central sensitization, healthy physical condition and blood test values, which will be evaluated by means of physical examination, questionnaires and laboratory tests. Applicability of the results: this is a pioneering project at the national level, which would determine more reliably the prevalence of LCP in postcovid and could be a first step in the search for the best therapeutic strategies for these patients. This would help to improve the quality of life of these patients and to better manage the social and healthcare resources used in their treatment.

Conditions