Variáveis clínicas associadas a déficits funcionais em pacientes afetados por artralgia crônica pós Chikungunya: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Background: Chikungunya virus is an endemic disease that affects people worldwide. During some months of the year, the population who lives near the tropics is highly infected. The virus incubation lasts approximately 5 days, generating high levels of viremia that lasts about 5 days after the onset of the symptoms. The incapacitating main symptoms include inflammatory arthralgia, functional incapacity, and pain. Objective: This study aims to assess the factors that predict altered functional capacity in patients affected by chronic chikungunya arthralgia. Methods: It is a cross-sectional conducted from October 2023 to June 2024. We collected the data using the instruments: health assessment questionnaire, the visual analogue, brief pain inventory, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and the short form 36 health survey. We performed regression analysis to identify associations among the variables. Results: We included 119 individuals infected by the Chikungunya virus. Regression analysis of VAS scores revealed that age (coefficient: -0.5532, p = 0.016) and BPI Intensity (coefficient: 1.1716, p = 0.002) were significant predictors. Older age was associated with lower VAS scores, while higher BPI Intensity correlated with higher VAS scores. The model explained 25.7% of VAS score variability (R-squared: 0.257). For HAQ scores, age (coefficient: -0.0104, p = 0.039), PSQI (coefficient: 0.2250, p = 0.002), and SF36 Physical Health (coefficient: -0.0118, p = 0.005) were significant predictors, accounting for 31.6% of the variability (R-squared: 0.316). Conclusion: There is a huge complexity among the signs and symptoms presented by people infected by chikungunya virus. Here, we highlight the identification and significant associations between pain and disability experienced by people infected by the Chikungunya virus.