By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

Are you worried about becoming infected with the coronavirus? Are you self-isolating at home? When you go out, do you wear face masks and gloves? Can you even find face masks and gloves?

Those are some of the questions we’re asking in a survey designed to measure the impact of the coronavirus on people living with chronic pain and/or chronic illness. PNN is partnering with the International Pain Foundation (iPain) and the Chronic Pain Association of Canada (CPAC) to see how people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 are coping with a life-altering pandemic.

“We are all aware of the coronavirus and the effect it is having on our society as a whole. However, many don’t realize the negative effects it has on people living with chronic pain. Chronic pain sufferers often have conditions that render them more vulnerable to this virus than the general public. And we are concerned about access to vital medical services and medications that patients require on an on-going basis,” says Barry Ulmer, Executive Director of CPAC.

“It is important that as many people as possible take the survey. That will allow us to measure the impact of COVID-19 on people with chronic pain or chronic illness and then address those problems with our policymakers and regulators. This is important so please take a few minutes to participate.”

“People with chronic conditions are more vulnerable to catching a cold, viruses and other communicable diseases,” says Barby Ingle, the founder and president of iPain. “Many are isolated at home, have little contact with the outside world, and are unable to get protective gear such as masks. That increases their anxiety and stress, which can worsen their underlying condition.

“More personally, as a pain patient who is at high risk for the coronavirus, I would love to connect and evoke discussions with people who are dealing with a dehumanizing experience.”

Vulnerable Populations

Who is most vulnerable to COVID-19? A study of people infected in China found that those over the age of 80 have the highest fatality rate of any age group -- nearly 15 percent -- followed by people in their seventies (8%) and sixties (3.6%).  The study found that cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension and cancer also raise the risk of death.

The CDC goes a bit further, warning that obesity, smoking, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids, prednisone and other immune weakening medications also increase the risk.

In a recent column, Dr. Lynn Webster suggested that chronic pain may weaken immune systems.

“People with chronic pain may be more susceptible to viruses in general, because chronic pain can change the way our immune systems work. McGill University researchers found that chronic pain changes the DNA in T-cells, a type of white blood cell essential for immunity. Researchers were surprised by the number of genes affected by chronic pain,” Webster wrote.

Our survey should only take a few minutes. You’ll be asked a series of multiple-choice questions. Select the answer that best describes your situation or leave it blank if no answer applies to you. You'll have an opportunity at the end of the survey to provide more detail or discuss other issues and concerns.

To take the survey, click here. Your feedback is important!