Influence of the corona pandemic on pain patients: Which impacts of the pandemic on their care do patients with chronic pain experience?

Abstract

Background: Diseases caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have led to a pandemic in a very dynamic manner. The epidemiological situation of national importance required infection control measures with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality. An overburdening of the healthcare system should be avoided. The measures taken to combat the pandemic have had an impact on public and private life. Patients suffering from chronic pain have also been greatly affected. Question: Which impact on their care do patients with chronic pain experience? Method: After multimodal inpatient treatment 70 pain patients were interviewed by telephone in a standardized fashion. They were asked about their condition as follows: did the changes due to the pandemic result in an increase in pain levels, a deterioration in mood and did the pandemic have a negative impact on the supply of pain medication? Results: Changes in the biopsychosocial area were experienced by the patients and affected their overall well-being. Chronically ill pain patients were particularly affected by the lockdown. A large number of patients associated a deterioration in mood and aggravation of the chronic pain with measures resulting from the pandemic. The mood deterioration was clearly associated (70% of respondents). An increase in pain was associated with changes caused by the pandemic in 44% of respondents. Of the patients 39% reported a deterioration of the pain management. The measures taken to combat the pandemic have had and still have an impact on the lives of chronically ill pain patients. Discussion: It is necessary to maintain the limited but still existing options of coordinated care for pain patients following a multimodal inpatient stay, even in difficult situations. The negative effects of a reduction in medical care are an argument in favor of multimodal outpatient care, especially after inpatient treatment.