Covid19
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are indicators of central sensitisation in patients post covid-19 infection.
Detailed description
The COVID-19 pandemic is currently a serious global public health concern. This disease is caused by a novel coronavirus which was first discovered in Wuhan, China in 2019 and later spread rapidly throughout the world. Symptoms of the disease can manifest as fever, cough, encephalitis, myalgia, fatigue, muscle weakness, arthralgia, anosmia, and impairment in other bodily functions in the acute phase. In 17% to 67% of cases, COVID-19 patients will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and critical illness. Besides the impact on the respiratory system, coronaviruses have an effect on other systems including the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and gastrointestinal system. The term central sensitivity syndrome (CSS) describes a group of medically nonspecific disorders, such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome, for which central sensitivity might be a common etiology. Despite the lack of a solid outcome measurement, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was previously introduced as a screening instrument for clinicians to help identify patients with a CSS. Furthermore, quantitative sensory testing can be used to identify and quantify sensory disfunctions by evaluating a variety of parameters including pain thresholds, temporal summation, and conditioned pain modulation (CPM). Previous research in patients with chronic pain resulted in less efficacious CPM, increased nociceptive facilitation and decreased pain thresholds. In post covid-19 patients, potential long-term secondary effects on the musculoskeletal system such as muscle weakness, decreased muscle mass, and myopathies have been brought under attention. Persisting symptoms are a frequently reported complaint in patients recovered from COVID-19 infection with at least 1 symptom, particularly fatigue and dyspnea. Fatigue is also one of the core symptoms in central sensitisation disorders, leading to the hypothesis that central sensitisation might be the underlying common etiology in chronic pain patients and patients post COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate whether there are indicators of central sensitisation in patients post covid-19 infection.
Interventions
Indicators of central sensitisation, assessed by the Central Sensitization Inventory
Sponsors
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with a diagnosed covid-19 infection that took place 2-8 weeks before study inclusion. * Cognitive and language functioning enabling coherent communication between the researcher and the participant. * French-or Dutch speaking persons.
Exclusion criteria
* Covid-19 infection \> 8 weeks ago.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Symptoms of Central Sensitisation | The change between baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary time endpoint) and 12 months | Symptoms of central sensitisation will be measured with the Central Sensitization Inventory. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure pain thresholds | The change between baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary time endpoint) and 12 months | Pressure pain thresholds will be measured at the trapezius and rectus femoris muscles with an algometer. |
| Temporal summation | The change between baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary time endpoint) and 12 months | Temporal summation will be measured with 10 consecutive pressure pulses at the trapezius and rectus femoris muscles with an algometer. |
| Descending nociceptive inhibition | The change between baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary time endpoint) and 12 months | Descending nociceptive inhibition will be measured with a conditioned pain modulation protocol with algometer as test stimulus and the cold pressor task. |
| Functionality and disability | The change between baseline, 3 months, 6 months (primary time endpoint) and 12 months | Functional status will be evaluated by the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status Scale. |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
Primary ContactMarc Schiltz, MD
Outcome results
None listed