Chronic musculoskeletal symptoms following COVID-19 in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients

Introduction and objectives: Musculoskeletal symptoms of myalgia and arthralgia after recovery of COVID-19 is a pressing issue. Objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of persistent myalgia and arthralgia and likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), six weeks following COVID-19.

Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted in selected private sector hospitals in Colombo, Sri Lanka. PCR positive COVID-19 patients were recruited by consecutive sampling until required sample size of 333 was fulfilled. They were contacted over the phone six weeks after the discharge. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to evaluate the presence of symptoms of myalgia and arthralgia. Those with positive symptoms were invited for a consultation to conduct further investigations.

Results: Of the 333 patients, 96 (28.8%) had persistent arthralgia, myalgia or both, six weeks after recovery from COVID-19. Among them, 56.3% had only arthralgia, 10% had only myalgia and 33% had both myalgia and arthralgia. Two patients (4.8%; 95% CI: 0.6-16.2%) were confirmed of having RA.

Conclusions: More than one fourth of patients, suffered with persistent symptoms of myalgia and arthralgia six weeks following COVID-19 and 2 patients (4.8%) were confirmed to have rheumatoid arthritis.