Long COVID-19 has been a persistent struggle for many individuals post-pandemic, with symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, and various types of pain. A new study from the University of Michigan suggests that long COVID may be linked to chronic pain conditions, offering potential insights into the management of these lingering symptoms.
The research, published in the journal Pain and led by Rachel Bergmans, Ph.D., and a team from the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center at Michigan Medicine, aimed to investigate the relationship between long COVID and chronic pain conditions (COPCs), including fibromyalgia, migraine, and low back pain.
By analyzing health records of individuals with COVID, influenza, and those without an infection, the study found that individuals with COPCs were at an increased risk of experiencing long COVID features, comparable to known risk factors such as sex or being hospitalized for COVID. Surprisingly, individuals with influenza were even more likely to exhibit long COVID features than those with COVID infection. Additionally, over 24% of individuals with COPCs displayed long COVID features even without a prior infection.
Dr. Bergmans highlighted the potential role of nociplastic pain, a type of pain associated with heightened sensitization in the central nervous system, in contributing to the findings. She emphasized that previous pain experiences could serve as predictors of future pain, and nociplastic pain triggered by infections, trauma, and stress may be linked to symptoms of long COVID, including cognitive dysfunction.
These findings suggest that the understanding of chronic pain conditions could offer valuable insights into addressing long COVID symptoms. By leveraging existing research on COPCs, healthcare providers may be better equipped to support individuals grappling with the lingering effects of COVID-19.
