Symptomatic chikungunya and chronic post-infection arthralgia in a highly endemic setting in Northeastern Brazil, 2018-2019: clinical characteristics, prevalence and associated factors

Chikungunya, an Aedes -borne disease, poses a significant global health threat due to its substantial morbidity burden. Symptomatic chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection and persistent post-infection arthralgia, along with their risk factors, exhibit considerable geographic and interstudy variation. We estimated the prevalence of symptomatic cases and chronic arthralgia among CHIKV-exposed participants in a household-based survey conducted in a large northeastern Brazilian city approximately three years after the virus’s emergence (2018–2019). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected via interviews, and venous blood samples were tested for arboviruses (dengue-DENV, CHIKV, Zika) through IgM/IgG ELISA. Arthralgia severity was assessed via Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Prevalence estimates (95% CI) were calculated, and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance to identify risk factors. Of 760 CHIKV-exposed participants, 70% (95% CI: 66.7–73.2; n=532) were symptomatic (symptomatic-to-asymptomatic ratio: 2.16:1). Prior DENV infection was detected in 93.8% (n=713). Among those with arthralgia (n=499), over 70% reported severe pain (VAS ≥8). Independent risk factors for symptomatic CHIKV included older age (aPR=1.21 [36–50 years], 1.19 [51–65 years]), female sex (aPR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.08–1.32), prior DENV exposure (aPR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.03–2.04), and lower family income (aPR=1.37 [>2–4 wages], 1.34 [≤2 wages]). Chronic arthralgia (persisting >90 days) occurred in 36.5% (n=182) of cases and was associated with older age (aPR=4.60 [51–65 years]), female sex (aPR=1.70; 95% CI: 1.29– 2.25), and severe acute pain (aPR=2.91; 95% CI: 1.86–4.55). Lower income (≤2 wages) was protective against chronic arthralgia (aPR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.50– 0.90). The high burden of chikungunya and chronic arthralgia in this population underscores the need for targeted interventions, particularly for older adults, women, and low-income groups. The association between prior DENV infection and symptomatic CHIKV suggests potential cross-viral interactions in co-endemic settings.