Investigating the Relationship between Types of Pain and Inflammatory Factors: A Retrospective Cohort

Masoud  Hatefi; Ahmed Hasan  Ajeel Alhachami; Mustafa  Saleem; Seyed Hossein  Aghamiri; Amir  Sherafat; Aminollah  Vasigh; Shahram  Kargar; Mahdieh  Razi

doi:10.18502/aacc.v12i2.20956

Masoud Hatefi Department of Neurosurgery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Ahmed Hasan Ajeel Alhachami Department of Adult Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Kut, Wasit, 52001, Iraq.
Mustafa Saleem Department of Optics, College of Health and Medical Techniques Al Dour, Northern Technical University, Al Dour 34002, Iraq.
Seyed Hossein Aghamiri Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amir Sherafat Imam Hossein Hospital, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Aminollah Vasigh Department of Anesthesiology, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Shahram Kargar Department of Cardiology, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Mahdieh Razi Department of Pediatrics, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v12i2.20956

Keywords: Inflammatory factors; Pain; COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Pain is a recognized complication of COVID-19, and identifying the factors influencing it is crucial for diagnosis. Given the significance of pain assessment in viral patients, this study aimed to determine the relationship between different pain types and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This registered registry study included 2,780 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Ilam City. Data collection involved using a patient demographic form and a researcher’s checklist to assess pain status. Data was primarily gathered by reviewing patient files at referral hospitals admitting COVID-19 cases. If necessary, information was missing from the file, researchers collected supplementary data through clinical examinations and patient interviews. All collected data was then entered into SPSS software, version 16.

Results: The prevalence of pain types was high: back pain in 2,067 patients (77.2%), neck pain in 2,060 (77%), headache in 2,219 (82.9%), and myalgia in 2,419 (90.4%). Results indicated that the ESR level was statistically significantly higher (P<0.05) in patients experiencing pain in areas such as the neck, back, and head compared to other patients. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between CRP status and the status of all types of pain (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate a significant association between the pain condition and the inflammatory factors (ESR and CRP) in COVID-19 patients. Due to COVID-19 being an emerging disease, further research in this area is recommended.