The incidence and characteristics of chronic pain and fatigue after 12 months later admitting with COVID-19;The PostCOVID 19 syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aimed to evaluate chronic pain and fatigue in COVID-19 patients after 12 months of hospitalization. Methods: We studied the COVID-19 patients discharged from Hospital, between March 10 to April 20, 2020. Results: A total of 157 patients were included in this study. Forty-three patients (27.4%) complained of chronic fatigue and muscle weakness in the last six months. The visual analog fatigue scale (VAFS) score of 3.84 ± 1.48 was obtained. Forty patients (25.5%) were suspected of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Twenty-four patients (15.3%) had severe chronic pain or exacerbation of previous chronic pain, most of which were reported in the lower back (70.8%) and lower extremities (66.7%). Pain intensity had a mean score of 2.33 ± 0.87 and was mainly described as muscle cramps, persistent dull pain, and boring and numbing. In women, chronic pain and fatigue, extended hospital stays, ICU admission, and depressed mood were common than in men. For these pain and fatigue, 37% used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 16.3% used antidepressants. Only one person had applied for physiotherapy, and none of the patients had received psychotherapy Conclusions: Fatigue and chronic pain in patients recovering from COVID-19 are common complications, even after 12 months of illness.