Pain the most common symptom of long Covid – study

Pain tends to be the most prevalent and severe symptom reported by individuals with long Covid, according to a study.

The research, led by academics from University College London (UCL) analysed data from more than 1,000 people in England and Wales who logged their symptoms on an app between November 2020 and March 2022.

The study, published in the journal JRSM Open, found that pain, including headache, joint pain and stomach pain, was the most common symptom, reported by 26.5% of participants.

The other most common symptoms were neuropsychological issues such as anxiety and depression (18.4%), fatigue (14.3%), and dyspnoea (or shortness of breath) (7.4%).

The analysis found that the intensity of symptoms, particularly pain, increased by 3.3% on average each month since initial registration.

The study also examined the impact of demographic factors on the severity of symptoms, revealing significant disparities among different groups. Older individuals were found to experience much higher symptom intensity, with those aged 68-77 reporting 32.8% more severe symptoms, and those aged 78-87 experiencing an 86% increase in symptom intensity compared to the 18-27 age group.

Gender differences were also pronounced, with women reporting 9.2% more intense symptoms, including pain, than men. Ethnicity further influenced symptom severity, as non-white individuals with long Covid reported 23.5% more intense symptoms, including pain, compared with white individuals.

Lead author Dr David Sunkersing, from the UCL Institute of Health Informatics, said: “Our study highlights pain as a predominant self-reported symptom in long Covid, but it also shows how demographic factors appear to play a significant role in symptom severity.”

In the paper, the researchers also called for more sustained support for long Covid clinics and the development of treatment strategies that prioritise pain management, alongside other prevalent symptoms like neuropsychological issues and fatigue.

Given the significant impact of demographic factors on symptom severity, the study underscored the need for healthcare policies that addressed these disparities, ensuring equitable care for all individuals affected by long Covid, the researchers said.

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