In one study, the plasma levels of OSM, a member of the IL-6 family, was found to strongly correlate with the clinical severity of COVID-19 infection.4 This pleiotropic cytokine is associated with neuropathic pain in patients,67 thus increased OSM in patients with severe COVID-19 could also contribute to increased susceptibility for acute pain and/or may worsen existing pain states. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is COVID-19.