COVID-19 has been turning stubbornly ignorable day by day. A recent study has now brought to light that coronavirus may be triggering joint pain and other inflammatory diseases as well. Published in RMD Open, the report has claimed that cases of Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases(IRD), are being highly reported as a consequence of acute COVID infection. What’s even more concerning, is that the report found cases of IRD even following COVID-19 vaccination.
COVID-19 Causing Inflammatory Diseases
The lead researcher of the study informed that pain in the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues, is being reported in almost 10% of individuals within one year of being infected by SARS-CoV-2.
One type of rheumatic disease that has been observed in COVID-19 patients is called COVID-19-associated inflammatory syndrome, informed Dr Preeti Nagnur, Consultant Rheumatologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. While speaking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, she said “The exact mechanism behind how COVID-19 causes these rheumatic manifestations is not fully understood yet. However, several theories suggest that the virus triggers an overactive immune response in certain individuals, leading to the development of autoimmune-like symptoms.”
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“Also, SARS-CoV-2 is directly known to attack the blood vessels and tissues, causing inflammation and damage similar to what is seen in traditional rheumatic diseases. SARS-CoV-2 shares similarities with several other viral infections in terms of its ability to give rise to rheumatological and autoimmune impact and lead to joint pain, muscle pain, weakness in the limbs, disabling fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cognitive difficulties, and alterations in mood,” she added.
Since COVID vaccine also administers an inefficacious strain of Sars-Cov-2 into the body to build up the immune system’s defences against the virus, this allegedly less potent strain could be causing these inflammations as well.
Findings Of The Study
To assess the potential of COVID-19 to trigger inflammatory pain, researchers analysed a series of cases submitted by members of an Italian, that were encountered between November 2021 and October 2022. The researchers included symptomatic patients within four weeks of COVID-19 infection or vaccine administration.
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The study found that cases of inflammatory joint arthritis were more common among those infected with SARS-CoV-2, while inflammatory muscle pain was more common in the group that received COVID-19 vaccines.
These patients were provided with four weeks of therapy, which resulted in a 30% improvement and a 70% improvement in patients with inflammatory joint disease and inflammatory muscle pain respectively. The researchers also suggested that the risk of these painful side effects is much higher in the case of a COVID infection, hence the safety of COVID vaccines should not be questioned.
While one major symptom of COVID-19, and all its various strains has been joint and muscular pain, this latest study should not be taken lightly, as these manifestations of inflammatory pain persist for months after combating coronavirus, and may give way to more serious health issues. Remember, COVID is still at large and still very much a crippling threat to our mortality. Do not stop wearing face masks when out in public. Practise social distancing and avoid going to places that could be overcrowded. And most importantly, use sanitisers whenever necessary, maintain good hygiene, and keep your immunity up through a healthy diet and physical training.