COVID-19-Related Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the prevalence and determinants of neuropathic pain in individuals infected with COVID-19, including 11 papers with a total of 1,059 patients. The study found that neuropathic pain was present in 6.7% of hospitalized patients during the acute phase and 34.3% of long COVID patients. Risk factors for developing neuropathic pain included depression, the severity of COVID-19, and the use of azithromycin. The study highlights the need for further research, as neuropathic pain is a common symptom in long COVID, and suggests that psychological interventions for depression might reduce the risk. Limitations of the study include gender bias, lack of control groups, and potential publication bias.