Abstract | INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: To characterize the importance of musculoskeletal stiffness in a cohort of chikungunya patients with chronic joint symptoms. METHOD: Eighty-two patients were followed up 3 years after chikungunya infection. Tender and swollen joint counts, a pain intensity scale, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index ( HAQ-DI), and the EuroQol EQ-5D quality of life instrument were completed. A musculoskeletal stiffness questionnaire provided scores for overall stiffness and its components: stiffness severity, physical impact, and psychosocial impact. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age 51 ± 14 years. Sixty-seven patients were still experiencing chronic arthralgia. Musculoskeletal stiffness was reported by 43/67 patients with arthralgia and 3/15 patients without arthralgia. A physical impact of stiffness was reported by 87% patients and psychosocial impact by 71% patients. Mean tender joint count in patients reporting arthralgia was 6 ± 7, mean pain intensity 65 ± 20 out of 100, mean HAQ-DI was 0.54 ± 0.52, and mean EQ-VAS global health perception was 68 ± 62 out of 100. Stiffness severity was correlated with tender joint counts (ρ = 0.46) and pain intensity (ρ = 0.40). All three measures were equally well correlated with the EuroQol-VAS global health perception. Pain and tender joints were better correlated with the HAQ-DI (ρ = 0.68 and ρ = 0.63), but stiffness was more strongly correlated with several quality of life domains, including mobility. Swollen joints were a poor predictor of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal stiffness following chikungunya infection is distinct from arthralgia. It does not always occur in the same patients or with a corresponding intensity. Joint pain and stiffness may be independently associated with disability and quality of life assessments.
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Authors | Hugh Watson, Sarah R Tritsch, Liliana Encinales, Andres Cadena, Carlos Cure, Alexandra Porras Ramirez, Alejandro Rico Mendoza, Aileen Y Chang |
Journal | Clinical rheumatology
(Clin Rheumatol)
Vol. 39
Issue 5
Pg. 1679-1686
(May 2020)
ISSN: 1434-9949 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 31916107
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Arthralgia
(etiology, physiopathology)
- Chikungunya Fever
(complications, physiopathology)
- Cohort Studies
- Disability Evaluation
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Skeletal
(physiopathology)
- Pain Measurement
- Quality of Life
- Regression Analysis
- Severity of Illness Index
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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