Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic pain in Germany: Associations with expectations and control beliefs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people's well-being worldwide, it may place a particularly high burden on people with chronic pain, as pain is known to be influenced by societal and psychological conditions.

Methods

In this observational study, we conducted telephone interviews with 196 patients with chronic pain to assess the impact of the pandemic on various aspects of their pain and everyday life. The initial interviews were conducted between April and May 2020 and were followed up by a second interview between August and December 2020.

Results

A substantial percentage of patients (39% at the first and 32% at the second interview) reported an increase in pain intensity due to the pandemic. Exploratory analyses revealed that patients who already

SUBMITTER: Mußgens D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9087415 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature