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Symptomatic COVID-19 infections in outpatient image-guided corticosteroid injection patients during the lockdown

Connie Y Chang1,2, Anand Prabhakar3,4, Steven J Staffa5,4

  • 1Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Yawkey 6E, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. cychang@mgh.harvard.edu.

Skeletal Radiology
|October 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Image-guided corticosteroid injections during COVID-19 lockdown did not increase infection rates. This study found no significant difference in infection risk compared to the general population, offering reassurance for pain management during pandemics.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Musculoskeletal pain is commonly treated with image-guided corticosteroid injections.
  • Concerns arose during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding corticosteroid effects on the immune system.
  • Societal guidelines advised caution with corticosteroid use due to unknown risks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if image-guided corticosteroid injections during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were associated with a higher infection rate.
  • To compare infection rates in patients receiving injections versus the general population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study enrolling patients receiving image-guided corticosteroid injections during lockdown (April 15 - May 22, 2020).
  • Patients surveyed by telephone one month post-injection for COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Electronic medical records reviewed for symptoms and test results.

Main Results:

  • Seventy-one subjects (31 female, 40 male, age 58 ± 17) were enrolled.
  • Follow-up was available for 66 subjects (93%).
  • One subject (1.52%) developed symptomatic infection; infection rate was not significantly different from the Massachusetts general population (0.91%, p = 0.44).

Conclusions:

  • Image-guided corticosteroid injections during the COVID-19 lockdown were not linked to increased infection rates.
  • The findings suggest these injections are safe concerning infection risk during pandemic periods.
  • Reassurance for pain management practices during public health crises.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVIDCorticosteroidImage guidanceInfectionInjection

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