Coronavirus lockdown restrictions worsen pain for those with bone and muscle diseases

People with bone, joint and muscle pain have said their symptoms got worse during the UK lockdown, research reveals.

A UK-wide study of 678 people with musculoskeletal diseases discovered the majority (53 per cent) endured more pain during the national lockdown, according to research by the University of East Anglia (UEA).

An online survey launched in late April, five weeks after the start of lockdown, was conducted to see how the restrictions impacted people’s wellbeing and ability to access healthcare.

One third of patients reported needing to access either their GP or hospital rheumatology department. Those who did reported significantly greater pain, stiffness and poorer general health.

The study also found people who reported greater social isolation and loneliness were less likely to access healthcare.

Dr Toby Smith, who led the research, said: “Bone, joint and muscle pain is a major cause of disability for people across the UK. People with these problems often experience pain, joint stiffness, fatigue and muscle weaknesses.

“Bone, joint and muscle diseases are frequently managed with a combination of physical activity and medications. Our results show that the coronavirus pandemic is a major challenge to people’s health and wellbeing, both to young and older people.

“When lockdown happened, we were worried that this may become a much greater problem – particularly for those with bone, joint and muscle pain.

“We wanted to know how the new restrictions might affect pain, and better-understand who is most at risk of experiencing flare-ups, or reduced wellbeing due to social isolation and loneliness.”

Researchers also found 44 per cent of people needed the assistance of others to access medication.

Don’t ‘silently' struggle with pain in pandemic

The study conducted during the UK-wide lockdown, highlights the negative consequences of lockdown restrictions for people with musculoskeletal disease.

Professor Alex MacGregor from UEA’s Norwich Medical School co-led the study.

As new government restrictions designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been announced, Prof MacGregor warned “should further isolation measures need to be enforced as we have seen in some part of the UK as the pandemic continues, particular efforts should be made to protect and support the socially isolated as a vulnerable group.

“Healthcare providers should reach out to individual patients who do not come forward for advice, and who might be silently struggling with their disease.”

‘Accessing health services for musculoskeletal diseases during early COVID-19 lockdown: results from a UK population survey’ was published in the journal Rheumatology: Advances in Practice.