The Impact of COVID-19 Positivity on Quality-of-Life and Musculoskeletal Symptoms

Abstract

Objective: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly all over the worldwide and caused a pandemic. There are few studies in the literature that have investigated musculoskeletal symptoms of the disease, other than pulmonary symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate chronic musculoskeletal symptoms, quality of life, physical activity, and fatigue severity scores of patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A total of 235 patients who presented at our clinic between April and June 2021, were separated into two groups according to COVID-19 positivity (Group 1, n=75) and negativity (Group 2, n=160). The groups were compared with respect to demographic data, musculoskeletal pain and location, Visual Analogue Scale scores, Short Form-36 (SF-36) quality of life scores, physical activity scores, and fatigue severity scores. Results: Back pain, shoulder pain and the pain parameter of the SF-36 quality-of-life scale were significantly higher in the chronic period of COVID-19 patients (Group 1). A significant decrease was determined in the physical activity of COVID-19 patients (Group 1) evaluated with international physical activity scores, and the fatigue severity scores were significantly higher in these patients. Conclusion: Fatigue decreased activity, diminished quality of life, and especially back pain can be observed in the chronic period of patients with COVID-19. These effects of COVID-19 should be considered during musculoskeletal system examinations.

Keywords

• covid-19
• musculoskeletal symptoms
• quality of life
• fatigue