A Brief Survey of the COVID-19 Pandemic's Impact on the Chronic Pain Experience

Abstract

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Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the management of acute peptic ulcer perforation: to be reconsidered(?)

“…The authors expressed a set of 1,453 cases with chronic pain due to the postponement or cancellation of all regular checkups and the restriction of access to prescription opioids during the COVID-19 period, where approximately 25-30% of individuals reported exacerbation of their chronic pain. Similar conclusions were also described by Pagé et al 13 , Chatkoff et al 14 , and Lang-Illievich et al 15 . The deterioration in care for patients without COVID-19 can be found in all medicines.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pain and psychological functioning in young adults with chronic pain

“…In another study of children with chronic abdominal pain, there was a reduction in the frequency of abdominal pain. 49 Findings from adult populations have been equivocal with some studies reporting worsening pain experiences during the pandemic, 6,22,39 whereas other studies documented stability or reduction of pain symptoms during the pandemic. 2,15,19,35 A number of positive impacts of the pandemic have been described among youth and adults, including flexibility in work and school schedules and increased time with family, which may serve as protective factors in coping with chronic pain.…”

“…The majority of studies have enrolled older adults using crosssectional designs where participants provided retrospective reports on perceived changes in pain since the pandemic. 6,22,39 Findings have been equivocal, some indicating increases in pain intensity and disability, 6,22,39 whereas others demonstrating mixed results 2,15,27,35 or improvements in pain. 1,5,10,13 Moreover, few have used prospective designs.…”

Chronic pain experience through COVID-19: a comparison of reports prior and during the early stages of the pandemic

“…48 Of note, some cross-sectional studies suggest worsening of pain severity and interference because of the pandemic/ lockdowns. 37,45 In such studies, perceptions of change in pain symptoms were measured, including with single-item measures, 8 or patients retrospectively reported pre-COVID-19 pain severity. 23 In a few longitudinal studies, patients perceived their pain to worsen post pandemic, but comparisons over time suggested no difference in pain severity scores.…”