COVID-19 may lead to longer term joint pain and fibromyalgia

It’s early days to know for sure, but it looks as though COVID-19 may trigger the development of some autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia and other rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases.

A review of 54 available studies focused on joint pain, rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases and indicators of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies.

After acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, joint pain seemed to be present in 2–65% of people recorded over a four week to 12 months timeframe. Inflammatory arthritis was frequently reported. And 31%-40% people fulfilled criteria for fibromyalgia.

The team concludes that “manifestations of rheumatological interest such as joint pain, new-onset inflammatory arthritis and fibromyalgia are frequently reported after COVID-19, highlighting the potential role of SARS-CoV-2 as a trigger for the development of autoimmune conditions and rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases.”

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