Fırat Tıp Dergisi

Objective: Central sensitization (CS) is a general term for facilitated synaptic plasticity caused by neuronal dysregulation and excessive excitability in the central nervous system. CS is characterized by abnormally increased pain and hypersensitivity. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of CS, which is important in the pathophysiology of chronic pain, and the parameters affecting CS in patients who were previously infected and survived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Material and Method: A total of 350 patients, who survived COVID-19 infection, classified into Groups 1 and 2. Group 1 comprised those with subacute or prolonged COVID-19 (clinical presentation occurring 4-12 weeks after acute disease onset), and Group 2 comprised those with the chronic or post-COVID-19 syndrome (clinical presentation lasting for >12 weeks after acute disease onset and cannot be explained by any alternative diagnosis). The visual analog scale was used to evaluate the current pain of patients. The depression anxiety scale, central sensitization inventory, centrality of the pain scale, and pain quality assessment scale were administered.

Results: Regarding the time elapsed since positive polymerase chain reaction results, 53.4% (n =187) and 46.6% (n =163) patients were in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. CS was detected in 11.1% of patients (n =39). The CS risk in Group 1 was 0.15 times less than that in Group 2 (p =0.001). The CS risk was 260,211 times (p <0.001), 43,361 times (p <0.001), 2429 times (p =0.048), and 51,610 times higher (p <0.001) in hospitalized patients, those requiring intensive care, those with joint pain, and those with headache, respectively.

Conclusion: Duration of symptoms following COVID-19 infection is an important factor that should not be ignored when assessing CS.


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