Post-Viral Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbance Syndromes: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Caleb Tackey; P Maxwell Slepian; Hance Clarke; Nimish Mittal

doi:10.1080/24740527.2023.2272999

Post-Viral Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbance Syndromes: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Can J Pain. 2024 Jan 9;7(2):2272999. doi: 10.1080/24740527.2023.2272999. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Caleb Tackey¹, P Maxwell Slepian^{2

3}, Hance Clarke^{2

3}, Nimish Mittal^{1

2

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
² Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Post-viral pain syndrome, also known as post-viral syndrome, is a complex condition characterized by persistent pain, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, neurocognitive difficulties, and sleep disturbances that can occur after an individual has recovered from a viral infection.

Aims: This narrative review provides a summary of the sequelae of post-viral syndromes, viral agents that cause it, and the pathophysiology, treatment, and future considerations for research and targeted therapies.

Methods: Medline, PubMed, and Embase databases were used to search for studies on viruses associated with post-viral syndrome.

Conclusion: Much remains unknown regarding the pathophysiology of post-viral syndromes, and few studies have provided a comprehensive summary of the condition, agents that cause it, and successful treatment modalities. With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect millions of people worldwide, the need for an understanding of the etiology of post-viral illness and how to help individuals cope with the sequalae is paramount.

Contexte: Le syndrome de la douleur post-virale, également connu sous le nom de syndrome post-viral, est une affection complexe caractérisée par des douleurs persistantes, de la fatigue, des douleurs musculosquelettiques, des douleurs neuropathiques, des difficultés neurocognitives et des troubles du sommeil qui peuvent survenir après la guérison d’une infection virale.Objectifs: Cette revue narrative présente un résumé des séquelles des syndromes post-viraux, des agents viraux qui les causent, ainsi que de la pathophysiologie, des traitements et des considérations futures pour la recherche et les traitements ciblés.Méthodes utilisées: Les bases de données Medline, PubMed et Embase ont été utilisées pour rechercher des études sur les virus associés au syndrome post-viral.Conclusion: La physiopathologie des syndromes post-viraux reste largement méconnue et peu d’études ont présenté un résumé complet de l’affection, des agents qui la provoquent et des modalités de traitement efficaces. Alors que la pandémie de COVID-19 continue d’affecter des millions de personnes dans le monde, il est primordial de comprendre l’étiologie de la maladie post-virale et de savoir comment aider les individus à faire face aux séquelles.

Keywords: fatigue; pain; post-viral; sleep; viral.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research has not been supported by external/internal funding. HC is supported by a Merit Award from the University of Toronto Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.

Abstract in English, French

Publication types

Grants and funding

Abstract
in English, French