Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Supervisor

John-Baptiste, Ava

2nd Supervisor

Gagnier, Joel

Abstract

A notable portion of individuals who were infected with COVID-19 continue to experience long COVID. Some of the most common long COVID symptoms are fatigue and other musculoskeletal (MSK) post-COVID symptoms like myalgia and arthralgia. This thesis aims to explore the links between long COVID risk factors – especially pre-existing chronic conditions – and MSK post-COVID symptoms. Literature assessing how COVID-19 comorbidities associate with MSK post-COVID symptoms is scant. An analysis of longitudinal survey data was conducted to assess how key pre-existing chronic conditions – namely hypertension, previous heart attack, diabetes, and chronic lung disease – as well as multimorbidity may be associated with MSK post-COVID symptoms. We stratified by arthritis given its similarity in symptomatology with MSK post-COVID symptoms and our results showed that hypertension and multimorbidity are associated with increased odds of MSK post-COVID symptoms. Our findings may inform future practices on the identification of MSK post-COVID symptoms and potentially their management.

Summary for Lay Audience

COVID-19 continues to impact the lives of those who were infected even though the worst of the pandemic is believed to have passed. Long COVID entails the experience of symptoms beyond the acute infection period. Some of the most common symptoms include musculoskeletal (MSK) post-COVID symptoms such as muscle pain, muscle weakness, and joint pain, each of which can be very distressing to those who experience them. Understanding how common long COVID risk factors may be associated with MSK post-COVID symptoms could be informative in addressing these symptoms. Upon reviewing the academic literature, we found the most evidence linking the long COVID risk factors – sex, age, and hospitalization to MSK post-COVID symptoms. We did not find much evidence exploring links between pre-existing chronic conditions and MSK post-COVID symptoms. To address this gap in the literature, we analyzed data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) study. We used statistical methods to assess the association between hypertension, previous heart attack, diabetes and chronic lung disease, and MSK post-COVID symptoms. We also assessed whether the co-occurrence of multiple chronic conditions is associated with MSK post-COVID symptoms. We conducted these analyses separately in COVID-19 survivors with arthritis and survivors without arthritis since we couldn’t feasibly distinguish the symptoms of arthritis or any similar MSK condition from MSK post-COVID symptoms. We found that individuals with hypertension and individuals who experience a co-occurrence of multiple different chronic conditions are more likely to experience MSK post-COVID symptoms. These findings may influence management strategies for MSK post-COVID symptoms. Further research is needed to elucidate the association between hypertension and MSK post-COVID symptoms.

Download

Share

COinS