Covid Lockdowns Hurt Women with Chronic Pain More Than Men

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

Covid-19 lockdowns appear to have had a bigger impact on women living with chronic pain than men, according to a new study in Europe. Researchers say female patients experienced greater pain severity, as well as more stress, anxiety and financial uncertainty compared to men.

 “Our research suggests that the pandemic may have exacerbated chronic pain problems and some gendered inequalities,” says lead author Kordula Lang-Illievich, MD, from the Medical University of Graz in Austria. “With chronic pain affecting around 20% of the EU adult population, it is vital to understand how people living with chronic pain are being affected by the pandemic and to develop pain management interventions that clearly target women.”

To investigate how the first pandemic lockdown impacted chronic pain patients in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, researchers invited adults taking part in self-help groups who experienced pain for at least one year to complete an online survey in July 2020. Of the 579 people who responded, over 75% were women.

Participants were asked to rate their pain levels before and during the lockdown using the 0-100 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), as well as their pain management, physical activity, social and psychological health.

While the average pain intensity score before the lockdown was similar for men (46.5 on the VAS scale) and women (45), the increase in pain levels during the lockdown was much lower in men (0.8) than women (3.9).

“Our data clearly show that women experienced a higher aggravation of chronic pain during the first lockdown,” said Lang-Illievich. “This is likely to reflect the disproportionate impact of lockdowns on women, especially the extra caregiving responsibilities, rise in domestic violence, and their increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression and acute stress — all of which would be expected to impact pain symptoms.”

There are several limits to the study, including the over-representation of young women, single participants, and those with higher education, as well as the reliance on self-reporting. The research is being presented at Euroanaesthesia, the annual meeting of the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care.

COVID-19 Lockdown Made Symptoms Worse for Pain Patients

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor

A new survey is providing some insight into how patients suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia and other types of joint and muscle pain fared during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

In late April, researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) surveyed 678 patients in the UK with musculoskeletal pain, asking how the pandemic impacted their well-being and access to healthcare. The online survey was conducted five weeks after the start of a nationwide lockdown in which at-risk patients were told to “shield” at home, avoid all social contact, and postpone or cancel non-urgent healthcare appointments.  

"When lockdown happened, we were worried that this may become a much greater problem - particularly for those with bone, joint and muscle pain,” said co-author Toby Smith, PhD, a professor at UEA's School of Health Sciences. “We wanted to know how the new restrictions might affect pain, and better understand who is most at risk of experiencing flare-ups, or reduced well-being due to social isolation and loneliness.

"Our results show that the coronavirus pandemic is a major challenge to people's health and well-being, both to young and older people.”

Over half the patients (53%) reported that their musculoskeletal symptoms had worsened since the start of lockdown. About a third said they had seen a general practitioner or hospital rheumatologist because their pain, stiffness and overall health had significantly worsened. Those who reported greater social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access healthcare.

The vast majority of respondents, over 88 percent, reported little difficulty getting medication during the lockdown, but nearly half (44%) needed the assistance of others to do it.

"Should further isolation measures need to be enforced as we have seen in some part of the UK as the pandemic continues, particular efforts should be made to protect and support the socially isolated as a vulnerable group,” said co-author Alex MacGregor, PhD, a professor at UEA's Norwich Medical School. "Healthcare providers should reach out to individual patients who do not come forward for advice, and who might be silently struggling with their disease.”

Due to a recent surge in coronavirus infections, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently tightened nationwide restrictions, ordering bars and restaurants to close by 10pm. More people are also being required to wear masks. Asked about reports the government was planning a “total social lockdown” in northern England and London, Johnson’s health minister told the BBC she wouldn’t rule it out.

The UK survey findings, published in the journal Rheumatology: Advances in Practice, are similar to those found in a PNN survey of over 2,200 patients in April. About 70% said they were worried about going to a hospital or doctor’s office and had postponed or cancelled a medical appointment. A little over half said social isolation made them feel lonely.