Prevalence of Neuropathic Component in Post‐COVID Pain Symptoms in Previously Hospitalized COVID‐19 Survivors
Manuel Herrero‐Montes, César Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas, Diego Ferrer‐Pargada, Sandra Tello-Mena, Ignacio Cancela‐Cilleruelo, Jorge Rodríguez‐Jiménez, Domingo Palacios‐Ceña, Paula Parás‐Bravo
Abstract
Objectives . To investigate the prevalence of neuropathic pain symptoms and to analyze the correlation between neuropathic symptoms with pain‐related, psychological, and cognitive variables in COVID‐19 survivors exhibiting “de novo” post‐COVID pain. Methods . Seventy‐seven ( n = 77) previously hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors presenting with post‐COVID pain completed demographic (such as age, height, and weight), pain‐related (the duration and intensity of pain), psychological (depressive/anxiety levels), and cognitive (catastrophizing and kinesiophobia) variables. The Self‐Report Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S‐LANSS) questionnaire was also assessed. After conducting multivariable correlation analyses, a stepwise multiple linear regression model was performed to identify S‐LANSS predictors. Results . Participants were assessed a mean of 6.0 (SD 0.8) months after hospital discharge. Nineteen (24.6%) exhibited neuropathic pain symptoms (S‐LANSS score≥12 points). The S‐LANSS score was positively associated with the duration of post‐COVID pain ( r : 0.262), anxiety levels ( r : 0.275), and kinesiophobia level ( r : 0.291) (all, P < 0.05). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 12.8% of the S‐LANSS variance was just explained by kinesiophobia. Conclusion . This study found that almost 25% of previously hospitalized COVID‐19 survivors with “de novo” post‐COVID pain reported a neuropathic pain component. The presence of neuropathic pain symptomatology was associated with more anxiety and kinesiophobia, but only kinesiophobia level was significantly associated explaining 12.8% of the variance of the S‐LANSS score.