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Worsening Symptoms for People With Musculoskeletal Pain in Lockdown

by Samhita Vitta on Sep 26 2020 12:03 PM

People with bone, joint and muscle pain have reported that their symptoms have worsened during the lockdown. People who experience loneliness and social isolation were also less likely to access healthcare.

Worsening Symptoms for People With Musculoskeletal Pain in Lockdown
Increased symptoms were reported in people with bone, joint and muscle pain during the lockdown, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.
The study also shows that the people who experienced most social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access healthcare.

Bone, joint and muscle pain is a major cause of disability for people in the UK. People often experience joint stiffness, pain, fatigue and muscle weakness.

Physical activity and medications are the most frequent management for these bone, joint and muscle diseases.

The researchers wanted to understand the effect of the lockdown on pain and identify who is at risk of experiencing flare-ups or reduced wellbeing due to loneliness and social isolation.

The team started an online survey five weeks after the start of the lockdown in late April. The survey consisted of 678 patients with musculoskeletal diseases.

The researchers found that 53% of the participants reported that their symptoms had worsened since the start of the lockdown. One-third of the patients reported that they needed access to either their GP or hospital rheumatology department.

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People who accessed healthcare had significantly greater pain, stiffness and poorer health. People who reported greater loneliness and social isolation were less likely to access healthcare.

88% of the participants had little difficulty in accessing medication, and 44% of them needed assistance from other people to access medication.

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The results of the survey suggest that lockdown due to COVID-19 has had negative effects on people with musculoskeletal disease.

"Healthcare providers should reach out to individual patients who do not come forward for advice, and who might be silently struggling with their disease," Dr. Toby Smith said.



Source-Medindia


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