THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF CHRONIC CHIKUNGUNYA
Acute and chronic chikungunya
The majority of those with chronic chikungunya infection do not return to their previous health status4
- Chronic chikungunya disease is characterized by either recurrent or constant symptoms affecting everyday activities and causing impaired life satisfaction and health-related quality of life.
- A study showed that 57% of patients are still somewhat affected by the disease after 2.5 years.
- An increase of mainly recurrent rheumatic and non-rheumatic/psychological symptoms were reported including:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Sombreness
- Loss of vitality
- An increase of mainly recurrent rheumatic and non-rheumatic/psychological symptoms were reported including:
- Highly affected patients reported significantly higher symptom recurrence and pain intensity.
Chronic chikungunya disease poses a major yet often underestimated burden on affected patients – characterized as both the persistence of debilitating polyarthralgia and psychological impairment. Staying informed and up to date on this disease is the first step in getting involved.4