Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Validated questionnaires revealed a shift of attention from chronic pain towards the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with chronic painful polyneuropathy. Abstract Introduction: The SARS-Cov-2 pandemic requires special attention on its psychological effects and the impact on patients with chronic pain. Objectives: This study aimed at examining the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic-associated regulations initiated by the German government on pain intensity and characteristics, emotional well-being, and everyday life of patients with painful polyneuropathy. Methods: Forty-three patients (well assessed with questionnaires before the pandemic and without change of their health status between baseline and current assessment) were investigated with validated, self-reported questionnaires and COVID-19-specific items 2 weeks after the regulations came into effect. Results: Pain intensity remained stable or even improved like the neuropathic pain symptom inventory total score (t0: 33.54 ± 20.48 vs t1: 27.38 ± 16.16, P = 0.008). Only 11.6% reported a pandemic-associated pain worsening. Rumination scores of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale were lower during t1 compared to before the pandemic regulations (t0: 7.81 ± 4.70, t1: 6.49 ± 4.39; P = 0.030). Interestingly, pain ratings for the last 7 days were higher in patients with a changed social life compared to those without (−1.63 ± 1.60 vs 0.31 ± 1.83; P = 0.01). Quality of life was decreased and helplessness increased in those with higher pain ratings. Conclusion: Results suggest a shift of attention from the chronic pain condition towards the imminent threat of a global pandemic. As the impacts of the pandemic are persistent and evolving, the development of the measured parameters in the forthcoming weeks will be of great interest.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, chronic pain, social isolation, Psychological, neuropathic pain, Questionnaires, 【초록키워드】 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic, Symptom, global pandemic, Characteristics, Impact, Patient, Digital, Pain, Health status, scale, Quality, questionnaire, pain intensity, emotional, Government, intensity, Rumination, Regulation, worsening, total score, content, text, parameter, Effect, neuropathic, Result, reported, investigated, remained, initiated, changed, baseline, 【제목키워드】 Patient, Pain,