A Comparative Study on the Pain Threshold Experienced by Fibromyalgia Patients Following Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection

• Published in: Life (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 14; no. 8; p. 942
• Main Authors: Matei, Daniela, Traistaru, Rodica, Amzolini, Anca Maria, Ianosi, Laura Simona, Neagoe, Carmen Daniela, Mitrea, Adina, Clenciu, Diana, Avramescu, Taina Elena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27-07-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: algometry; Analgesics; Bacterial infections; Behavior modification; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Comparative studies; COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Drug therapy; Exercise; FDA approval; Fibromyalgia; Hyperalgesia; Immunization; Infections; Medical research; non-pharmacological treatment; Pain; pain threshold; Pandemics; Pathogenesis; Patients; Physical fitness; Physical therapy; SARS-CoV-2 infection; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social factors; Statistical analysis; Vaccination; Viral diseases; Romania; SARS-CoV-2 infection; algometry; non-pharmacological treatment; fibromyalgia; pain threshold
• ISSN: 2075-1729; 2075-1729
• DOI: 10.3390/life14080942

Significant gaps remain in the understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of fibromyalgia (FM), and the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced even more unknowns. Social factors specific to that period, the viral infection itself, and/or vaccination are additional elements that can complicate the progression of the disease or the response to treatment. Aim: The primary hypothesis to be evaluated in this study is that an acute COVID-19 infection, even when considered recovered, may induce changes in the response to non-pharmacological treatment in FM patients, particularly concerning pain. Results: We included 128 patients diagnosed with FM before the pandemic began. The patients were divided based on their history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination status. All patients followed the same rehabilitation program (cognitive therapy, kinesitherapy). Perceived pain: The non-COVID-19 patient groups showed a statistically significant reduction in pain at the final evaluation compared to patients with a history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection (
< 0.001). Algometric evaluation: Patients without COVID-19 infection and that were vaccinated exhibited the best improvement in pain threshold, both across evaluation times (
< 0.001) and compared to any of the other three groups studied (
< 0.001). Using the WHYMPI questionnaire, the same group of patients (those not having experienced acute COVID-19 and who were vaccinated) was the only group with a statistically significant improvement in pain severity (
= 0.009). In conclusion, to control and improve FM pain symptoms, in addition to appropriate medication, we propose paying additional attention to the history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and the COVID-19 vaccination status.