Chronic pain characteristics in COVID-19 survivors after an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. A cross-sectional study
Authors' conclusion
New-onset chronic pain is common after an ICU stay for COVID-19 and may manifest in various forms. Secondary pain caused by ICU management is the most frequent.
Study context
- Population
- COVID-19 survivors after an ICU stay, assessed nine months after ICU dischargeof 204 ICU survivors
- Participants
- 143 survivors
- Outcome
- New-onset chronic pain (ICD-11)
- Follow-up
- Nine months after ICU discharge
Methodological detailsmulticentre, face-to-face pain specialist consultation
- Multicentre
- Face-to-face pain specialist consultation
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New-onset chronic pain
New-onset chronic pain
54%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Types of chronic pain
- Forms of pain reported
- 102
- Secondary pain: musculoskeletal
- 40%
- Secondary pain: post-traumatic
- 34%
- Secondary pain: neuropathic
- 25%
- Secondary pain: visceral
- 13%
- Primary chronic pain
- 7%
- Most common sites: shoulders, chest, head
Pain intensity
- Moderate to severe pain
- 75%
- Higher intensity associated with greater impact on daily life
Associated factors
- Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, perceived stress and debilitating pain frequently associated
- Intubation more frequent in patients with chronic pain
Specialized pain centre follow-up required
- Of all survivors
- 21%
- Of patients with new-onset chronic pain
- 40%
Original publication
Chronic pain characteristics in COVID-19 survivors after an ICU stay. A cross-sectional study. Anaesth Crit Care Pain Med. Published 24 June 2023. doi:10.
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