Pain Management and COVID-19: A Latin American Perspective

Abstract

Vaccinations and therapeutics have been developed for COVID-19, but vaccine uptake varies markedly among countries. Public health responses have also varied, in particular, with lockdown efforts and school closing. All over the world, the pandemic exposed healthcare and economic weaknesses. COVID-19 exacerbated mental health issues by exposing the population to prolonged periods of fear, anxiety, financial stress, psychological uncertainties, and sometimes isolation from even family and friends. Chronic pain patients have been disproportionately affected. The pandemic-associated stresses may have exacerbated their already painful symptoms while at the same time interrupting their access to care. The ramifications of the COVID-19 post-viral syndrome ("long are not yet known. COVID-19 viral infection has been associated with neuropathic pain symptoms. Tele-triage and telehealth applications can help manage chronic pain patients in the COVID-19 era, but many interventional procedures, injections, or other treatments have been delayed. The role of palliative care for patients with terminal cases of infection must be re-examined. Palliative care is a relatively new medical specialty and allows terminally ill patients to die in as much comfort and peace as can be afforded to them. More training in palliative care for all clinicians is urgently needed. COVID-19 exposed much that is wrong or weak or inadequate in our healthcare systems, but it also allowed us to embrace new technologies and develop better systems to manage the challenge of a pandemic.

The impact of COVID-19 on chronic pain

“…Identifying the risk factors associated with any health condition is important to prevent its development ( 5 ). Some domains have been identified as contributors to the potential development of chronic pain among hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( 5 ).…”

“…Identifying the risk factors associated with any health condition is important to prevent its development ( 5 ). Some domains have been identified as contributors to the potential development of chronic pain among hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( 5 ). First, the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, social isolation both during and after discharge, and psychological burdens particular to the pandemic are all related to mental health burdens, which can be potential risk factors for chronic pain development in COVID-19 patients ( 5 ).…”

“…Some domains have been identified as contributors to the potential development of chronic pain among hospitalized COVID-19 patients ( 5 ). First, the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, social isolation both during and after discharge, and psychological burdens particular to the pandemic are all related to mental health burdens, which can be potential risk factors for chronic pain development in COVID-19 patients ( 5 ). Subsequently, the neurological manifestations caused by COVID-19 infection have been also identified as possible risk factors ( 5 ).…”

“…First, the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, social isolation both during and after discharge, and psychological burdens particular to the pandemic are all related to mental health burdens, which can be potential risk factors for chronic pain development in COVID-19 patients ( 5 ). Subsequently, the neurological manifestations caused by COVID-19 infection have been also identified as possible risk factors ( 5 ). Moreover, intensive care unit–associated risks, such as prolonged ventilation and immobility, repeated prone position, neuromuscular block, and sepsis or procedural pain, are all considered chronic pain risk factors ( 5 ).…”

Clinics and Practice: A Rapidly Developing Journal

“…Then, there is a further publication addressing variants of COVID-19 [ 2 ]. COVID in the last years has attracted many scientists, as evident from many other published articles on different aspects and countries [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Of course, the journal has published several other articles of interest, and widely cited; e.g., there is an intriguing article, cited around 100 times, connecting the effects of microbiota with mental health [ 7 ].…”