Potential for increased prevalence of neuropathic pain after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract. Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) most commonly manifests with acute respiratory symptoms, one very common symptom of COVID-19 is pain. As COVID-19 often causes peripheral or central neurological complications, it is anticipated that a number of the chronic pain complications of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nadine Attal, Valéria Martinez, Didier Bouhassira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2021-01-01
Series:PAIN Reports
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/painrpts/fulltext/10.1097/PR9.0000000000000884
Description
Summary:Abstract. Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) most commonly manifests with acute respiratory symptoms, one very common symptom of COVID-19 is pain. As COVID-19 often causes peripheral or central neurological complications, it is anticipated that a number of the chronic pain complications of COVID-19 will be neuropathic. This review first examines the most common viral infections responsible for neurological complications including neuropathic pain. These encompass herpes zoster, HIV, poliovirus, enteroviruses, and several tropical viruses. Neurological complications of COVID-19 including in particular Guillain–Barré syndrome, myelitis, and stroke are reviewed with regards to their potential risk of chronic neuropathic pain. Prospective longitudinal cohorts of patients should be implemented to evaluate the exact risk of neuropathic pain after COVID-19.
ISSN:2471-2531