DIAGNÓSTICO E ASPECTOS FISIOPATOLÓGICOS DA ARTRITE PÓS CHIKUNGUNYA: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA

Abstract

Chikungunya fever is an arbovirus endemic in tropical regions, and infection with the CHIKV virus can trigger chronic manifestations, such as post-Chikungunya arthritis, a condition that significantly compromises the quality of life of patients. This study aimed to conduct an integrative review of the literature on the diagnostic and pathophysiological aspects of post-Chikungunya arthritis. The research was conducted in the PubMed, SciELO and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases, using the descriptors “Chikungunya” and “viral Arthritis” according to DeCS. Articles published between 2018 and 2025, in Portuguese, English and Spanish, that specifically addressed the proposed theme were included. Studies without full text or outside the scope were excluded. The results show that post-Chikungunya arthritis is characterized by persistent joint symptoms, especially in the hands and feet, and can last for months or years after the acute phase of the infection. Clinical diagnosis is essential and, in the acute phase, can be confirmed by RT-PCR or serology (IgM/IgG), while in the chronic phase, the evaluation is based on the persistence of symptoms and the exclusion of other rheumatological diseases. The reviewed studies indicate that the pathophysiology of the disease involves an exacerbated inflammatory response, with elevation of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α, in addition to the persistence of viral RNA in synovial tissues and activation of osteoclastogenic pathways, which leads to chronic joint inflammation and bone degradation, with similarities to rheumatoid arthritis. The study also highlights that factors such as advanced age, female gender and the presence of comorbidities increase the risk of progression to severe and long-lasting forms. The relevance of this study is to provide a critical and updated synthesis of the main scientific findings on post-Chikungunya arthritis, reinforcing the need for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. It is concluded that post-Chikungunya arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition with persistent joint manifestations, whose complexity demands greater clinical attention and scientific depth to improve diagnostic and monitoring strategies.