Evaluation of musculoskeletal system symptoms and hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients: Musculoskeletal system symptoms in COVID-19 patients

Elif Yakşi; Nalan Ademi; Dursun Karakaş; Osman Yakşi

doi:10.5281/zenodo.7363728

Authors

Elif Yakşi Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bolu, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1534-8205
Nalan Ademi Private Medikent Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kırklareli, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7862-4302
Dursun Karakaş İstanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Hand Surgery, İstanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5262-5860
Osman Yakşi Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Bolu, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6386-738X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7363728

Keywords:

COVID-19, hematological parameters, inflammation, musculoskeletal pain

Abstract

Objective: Musculoskeletal pain can be seen in COVID-19; however, the data obtained about pain intensity and its relationship with inflammation are not of sufficient. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of musculoskeletal pains in patients diagnosed as having COVID-19, and to determine the relationship between these symptoms and inflammatory parameters.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one patients who were diagnosed as having COVID-19 were included. All patients’ demographic data, complete blood count parameters, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratios (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratios (PLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratios (LMR), and neutrophil/monocyte ratios (NMR) were recorded. All patients’ musculoskeletal pains and fatigue symptoms were investigated, and the severity of pain and fatigue was determined using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results: The frequencies of myalgia, fatigue, back pain, and low back pain were 43%, 92%, 68%, and 56%, respectively. A positive correlation was determined between the severity of fatigue and platelet levels (p:0.013, r:0.249). A negative correlation was observed between hemoglobin levels and fatigue severity (p:0.014, r:-0.246). A negative clinical correlation was observed between hemoglobin levels and myalgia severities (p:0.013, r:-0.384). There was no significant clinical correlation between myalgia, low back pain, back pain, fatigue severity, and hematologic indices (NLR, NMR, PLR, and LMR) (p>0.05).

Conclusion: No correlation was found between the presence or severity of musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, and hematological indices in COVID-19. Further large-series studies are now needed to prove an association between inflammation and symptom severity in COVID-19.

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