Originally published by our sister publication Pain Medicine News
New research shows that pain—a common complaint of individuals experiencing long-term symptoms from the COVID-19 virus—may actually be the most prevalent and severe symptom reported in those with long COVID.
An observational study (JRSM Open 2024 Aug 28. doi.org/10.1177/20542704241274292) led by the UCL (University College London) Institute of Health Informatics and the Department of Primary Care and Population Health at UCL in collaboration with the software developer, Living With Ltd., analyzed data from more than 1,000 users in England and Wales of a symptom-recording app between November 2020 and March 2022. Pain was the most common complaint, reported by 26.5% of participants, and included headache, joint pain and stomach pain. Patients on average reported the intensity of their pain increasing each month by 3.3%.
“Our study highlights pain as a predominant self-reported symptom in long COVID, but it also shows how demographic factors appear to play a significant role in symptom severity,” said lead author David Sunkersing, PhD, of the UCL Institute of Health Informatics, in a press statement. “With ongoing occurrences of COVID-19, the potential for more long COVID cases remains a pressing concern. Our findings can help shape targeted interventions and support strategies for those most at risk.”
Indeed, significant disparities were seen among different demographic groups. Older individuals reported much higher symptom intensity on average: Respondents aged 68 to 77 years reported 32.8% more severe symptoms, whereas those 78 to 87 years saw an 86% spike in symptom intensity compared with the 18- to 27-year-old age group.
With regard to sex, women reported 9.2% more intense symptoms, including pain, than men.
Ethnicity further influenced symptom severity, as non-white individuals with long COVID reported 23.5% more intense symptoms, including pain, compared with white individuals.
Individuals with higher education qualifications experienced significantly less severe symptoms, including pain, compared with those with lower education levels.
Participants with higher socioeconomic status reported less intense symptoms than those from the most deprived areas, although not a lower number of overall symptoms than those with a lower socioeconomic status.
A lack of comorbid health condition information and health history were identified by the researchers as study limitations. Other potential limitations included the exclusion of individuals with very severe COVID-19 and those facing technological or socioeconomic barriers to smartphone app access.
Based on a press release from JRSM Open.