Increased symptoms were reported in people with bone, joint and muscle pain during the lockdown, according to a new study from the University of East Anglia. The study also shows that the people who experienced most social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access healthcare.
‘Half the participants in a survey reported worsened symptoms of their bone, joint and muscle pain during the COVID-19 lockdown. 88% of the participants also had little difficulty in accessing medication. Healthcare workers need to reach out to these individuals and help them.’
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Bone, joint and muscle pain is a major cause of disability for people in the UK. People often experience joint stiffness, pain, fatigue and muscle weakness. Read More..
Physical activity and medications are the most frequent management for these bone, joint and muscle diseases.
The researchers wanted to understand the effect of the lockdown on pain and identify who is at risk of experiencing flare-ups or reduced wellbeing due to loneliness and social isolation.
The team started an online survey five weeks after the start of the lockdown in late April. The survey consisted of 678 patients with musculoskeletal diseases.
The researchers found that 53% of the participants reported that their symptoms had worsened since the start of the lockdown. One-third of the patients reported that they needed access to either their GP or hospital rheumatology department.
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88% of the participants had little difficulty in accessing medication, and 44% of them needed assistance from other people to access medication.
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"Healthcare providers should reach out to individual patients who do not come forward for advice, and who might be silently struggling with their disease," Dr. Toby Smith said.
Source-Medindia