Open Access Rheumatology: Research and Reviews (Oct 2022)

Lifting the Mask on Musculoskeletal Manifestations of COVID-19: Results of an Interview-Based Study

  • Tharwat S,
  • Shabana NM,
  • Nassar MK

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 211 – 220

Abstract

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Samar Tharwat,1 Noran Mohamed Shabana,2 Mohammed Kamal Nassar3 1Rheumatology and Immunology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 2Mansoura Manchester Programme for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; 3Mansoura Nephrology & Dialysis Unit (MNDU), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, EgyptCorrespondence: Samar Tharwat, Mansoura University Hospital, El Gomhouria St, Mansoura, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, Tel +20 1091784143, Fax +2 50 2202834, Email [email protected]: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is considered a multi-system disease that might present with or develop complications during the acute phase of illness. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations in patients with COVID-19 infection and investigate their clinical correlations.Methods: This study was carried out on 110 patients with a history of RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. They completed a questionnaire that covered detailed information on their sociodemographic characteristics, clinical data of COVID-19 infection in addition to MSK discomfort form based on the Nordic MSK Questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.7 years (SD 12.9), 72.7% were females. The majority of patients (90.9%) reported MSK symptoms that occur during or shortly after the acute attack of COVID-19 infection. The median duration of onset of MSK symptoms was 2 days from the first day of COVID-19 infection (min-max: 0– 45 days) with a median duration of MSK symptoms of 7 days. Myalgia was the main complaint (85.5%) followed by arthralgia 90 (81.8%). However, swollen joints were reported in only 9 patients (8.2%). According to the body areas, maximum number of patients felt pain at the lower back (60%), followed by neck (39.1%), and upper back (32.5%) followed by right and left shoulder (20.9%). Patients with MSK manifestations were associated higher severity of COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001), prolonged duration of COVID-19 symptoms (p < 0.001) and higher prevalence of fatigue (p < 0.001).Conclusion: MSK manifestations are common in COVID-19 patients and related to disease severity, duration and fatigue.Keywords: musculoskeletal, COVID-19, Nordic MSK Questionnaire

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