Pain related psychosocial variables of post COVID-19 condition patients with new-onset chronic pain 2 years post-infection

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Post COVID-19 condition is characterized by persistence of symptoms after acute infection. These patients present primarily with respiratory symptoms. However, they also have a high prevalence of new-onset chronic pain. Understanding the psychosocial variables that influence the chronification of this pain will allow the development of interventions tailored to patients' needs. <bold>Objetive:</bold> The main objective of this study is to evaluate the pain-related psychosocial variables of patients with post COVID-19 condition with new-onset chronic pain 2 years after infection <bold>Methods:</bold> A cross-sectional case-control study was performed. Post COVID-19 condition patients were compared with two age- and sex-matched groups, patients with a history of COVID-19 and successfully recovered and, healthy controls. Depression, anxiety and stress were measured with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Catastrophizing was measured with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Fear of movement and (re)injury was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). <bold>Results:</bold> 69 patients with post COVID-19 condition, 67 successfully recovered COVID-19 patients, and 65 healthy controls were evaluated. The post COVID-19 condition group showed significant results in the DASS (p<0,001), in the PCS (p<0,001), and in the TSK (p<0,001). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In conclusion, compared with patients who successfully recovered from COVID-19 and healthy controls, the results of this study show that depression, anxiety and stress, catastrophizing and fear of movement and (re)injury are significantly greater in the post COVID-19 condition patients.