"Long-Haul COVID is our calling and we should take the lead" - Avindra Nath, MD 2020, Editorial, American Academy of Neurology

Even mild COVID-19 infection may lead to persistent and potentially incapacitating clinical manifestations (Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC)).

More than half of COVID-19 survivors experienced PASC 6 months after recovery. It is estimated that anywhere from 10% to 30% of patients might experience long COVID after recovering.

Among pain-related symptoms, chest pain, headaches, arthralgia, neuralgia, and abdominal pain are most persistent. Central and peripheral nerve systems are one of the most susceptible targets for SARS-CoV-2 virus. A meta-analysis of pain-related symptoms reported for patients with long-term PASC determined that every one month of follow-up corresponded to a 45% increase in prevalence in patients who developed neuralgia after acute COVID-19 infection.

This session will address:

possible pathophysiology,
risk factors, and
treatment strategies for pain-related symptoms in long COVID

Credits