What is happening in the shade of COVID-19?

Is it a war against a virus, or a war of analgesics? Strange theories are advancing. Some of them have totally forgotten the importance of scientific evidence, and some may also appear as a “conspiracy” theory. What COVID-19 has in common with analgesics?

In a moment of great confusion, it may happen that strange, or even extreme “conspiracy” theories appear on the horizon; e.g. the ones deriving from the video clip interviewing Bill Gates, where he reveals his ideas on the danger represented by viruses.

But this is not the topic of this text. Instead let’s discuss about the scientific interest of the Paolo Procacci Foundation (PPF): analgesics and pain patients. Remaining true to itself, something the PPF has always upheld, that is to focus and dedicate its energy towards the patients. Hence, it is acceptable that their fate is still of interest to us. Maybe you are asking yourself what COVID-19 and pain patients have in common. Unless you do so artfully, it`s rather difficult to find a clear link connecting these two topics.

A link has been found by French politics. In fact, a surprising sensational declaration has opened Pandora`s box. It happened a week ago, when the French Health Minister declared that the use of anti-inflammatory drugs may increase the risk of COVID-19. He also has declared that all the COVID-19 patients should use just paracetamol. Such “high level” declaration has immediately attracted the attention of important mass media. Le Figaro Science has published an article with a shocking title: “Coronavirus: alert on ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories”. This news has gone “viral” (an appropriate use of the word in the current situation), in less than 24 hours. Also, it has found other corners of the “scientific community” in the form of a “Correspondence” published in Lancet Respir Med. We will not comment on the scientific value of this “Correspondence”, as its value still remains too far away to be demonstrated. For now, we will just focus on the declaration trying to demonise anti-inflammatory drugs, including NSAIDs.

What is the impact of such high-level communication on the general population, already afraid and dazed by the pandemic?

With all due respect for our public institutions, we have questioned ourselves on the consequences; e.g. what would be the reaction of chronic pain patients treated for years with NSAIDs, and now terrified by the potentiality that such a group of drugs may increase the risk of Coronavirus infection. Also, we have imagined the reaction of millions of headache patients each year using over the counter NSAIDs, and especially ibuprofen. A part for these reflections, the research spirit has prevailed. Our initial thought was the Minister had made such important declarations based on scientific evidence that we might not be aware of. A very accurate search on the major research databases did not reveal any data that could validate this hypothesis provided to the mass media.

For the entire week, we have followed with great attention recent developments from this media saga, and something very interesting has been observed. In the coming days we will share this material with all of you. Meanwhile, we would just appreciate your opinion on this topic, which is for sure of interest to Pain Physicians worldwide.