Decrease in pain perception during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case series

Pain. 2022 Jun 1;163(6):1019-1022. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002512. Epub 2021 Oct 11.

Abstract

Many reports have described pain appearance or an increase of chronic pain concomitant to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Here, we describe the cases of 3 patients with chronic cancer pain, in which COVID-19 was associated with a dramatic reduction or disappearance of pain. Pain reappeared after recovery from COVID-19. Neurological imaging and pathological findings, when available, were inconclusive. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series reporting an acute reduction in pain perception in COVID-19. We believe further investigation is mandatory because it could shed new light on the mechanisms of pain perception and modulation.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Humans
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Perception
  • Research
  • SARS-CoV-2