Sensitization symptoms are associated with psychological and cognitive variables in COVID-19 survivors exhibiting post-COVID pain

Objective To investigate the association between demographic, clinical, psychological, cognitive, and health-related variables and the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors exhibiting de novo post-COVID pain. Methods Seventy-seven (n = 77) COVID-19 survivors with de novo post-COVID pain completed demographic (age, height, and weight), clinical (duration and intensity of the pain), psychological (depressive/anxiety levels and sleep quality), cognitive (catastrophizing and kinesiophobia levels), and health-related quality of life variables as well as the CSI. A multivariable correlation analysis was conducted to determine the association between variables, and a stepwise multiple linear regression model was performed to identify CSI predictors. Results Patients were assessed a mean of 6.0 (SD 0.8) months after hospital discharge. Twenty-six (33.7%) individuals showed indications of sensitization-associated symptoms (CSI score >= 40 points). The CSI score was positively associated with pain intensity (r: 0.371), anxiety (r: 0.784), depressive (r: 0.709), catastrophizing (r: 0.620), and kinesiophobia (r: 0.359) levels (all, p < 0.001). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 60.2% of CSI was explained by anxiety levels and pain intensity. Conclusion This study found that psychological and cognitive variables were associated with the CSI score in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors with de novo post-COVID pain. Anxiety levels and the intensity of pain symptoms were independently associated with CSI score suggesting a significant overlap with psychological construct. The de novo post-COVID pain association with CSI may indicate changes in the pain processing important for managing the pain.

Automated summary

This study investigated the association between various variables and Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) in previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors experiencing post-COVID pain. The results showed that psychological and cognitive variables, such as anxiety levels and pain intensity, were independently associated with CSI scores. This suggests a significant overlap with psychological constructs and indicates important changes in pain processing for managing post-COVID pain.