Publication: Arthralgia among Patients with COVID-19 Infection Admitted to the Department of Medicine of a Tertiary Care centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Medical Association
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has affected millions of people worldwide. It predominantly affects the respiratory tract causing various respiratory symptoms. It also causes various musculoskeletal symptoms in the form of arthralgia and myalgia which may be incapacitating for some patients. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of arthralgia among patients with COVID-19 infection admitted to the Department of Medicine.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Internal Medicine of a tertiary care centre. Data from March 2020 to May 2021 were collected between 2 December 2021 and 20 December 2021 from the hospital records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Board (Reference number: 1312). All patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection based on positive Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction for COVID-19 were included in the study. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% confidence interval were calculated.
Results: Among 929 patients included in the study, the prevalence of arthralgia was found to be 106 (11.41%) (10.30-12.51, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of these patients was 52.81±17.46 years.
Conclusions: The prevalence of arthralgia in COVID-19-infected patients was similar to other similar studies done in similar settings.
Description
Ujjwol Prasad Risal
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Mrikchhya Ghimire
Department of General Practice and Emergency Medicine, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Ghopa, Dharan, Nepal
Asmita Karki
Research Unit, Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Nahakul Shahi
Central Jail Hospital, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
Suravi Pandey
Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital for Advanced Medicine and Surgery, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, Nepal
Keywords
Arthralgia, COVID-19, Prevalence, Tertiary care