ABSTRACT

Year : 2022  |  Volume : 6  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 78

Physiotherapy in medical conditions, Gynaecological conditions, sleep and cardio-respiratory conditions: AB No: 68: Functional Disability in patients after Chikungunya – An Observational Study

Rachana Pandya, Megha Sheth
SBB College Of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Correspondence Address:

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/2456-7787.361106

Purpose: To assess the functional disability due to pain in the upper and lower limbs in patients after chikungunya. Relevance: Patients with chikungunya fever have involvement of the both small and large joints of upper and lower limbs. After chikungunya, patients have difficulty in doing essential activities in daily life. So, there is a need to assess the severity of functional problems in these patients. Participants: 87 patients, males and females aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with chikungunya fever within last 3 months were included using convenience sampling. Patients with known and severe musculoskeletal conditions, cardio-respiratory conditions, systemic conditions, neurological conditions, and malignancy were excluded. Methodology: An observational study was conducted at SBB college of physiotherapy. To assess disability for upper limb DASH (Disability of Arm, Shoulder & Hand) was used and LEFS (Lower Extremity Functional Scale) was used for assessing function of lower limbs. Pain was assessed as mild, moderate or severe. The participants were explained the study and were asked to fill up the two scales. Analysis: Data was computed on Google spreadsheets and descriptive analysis was done. Result: Mean age of participants was 43.22±14.16 years. 63.2% were females and 36.8% were males. 91% people had pain post the fever. Pain intensity was found mild (28.4%), moderate (51.9%) to severe (19.8%). 61% patients have pain and functional problems in upper limb with median (IQR) for DASH score 34.17(28.75). 68% patients have functional problems in lower limb with median (IQR) LEFS score 28(35). Conclusion: After chikungunya fever functional problems are prevalent in upper and lower limbs. The disability scores are high for upper and lower limbs 3 months post chikungunya. Implications: Further studies should be designed for relieving pain and improving function by physiotherapy for patients of chikungunya.

Keywords: Chikungunya, Functional problems, Joint pain