Effect of COVID-19 pandemic large-scale social restriction to low back pain epidemiology, a single center study in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/oyaEnUqaE9k Background: With the increase in COVID-19 cases, Indonesia’s government enforced the Large-Scale Social Restriction (LSSR) that started on April 1st, 2020. Despite LSSR’s ability to decrease COVID-19 transmissions, LSSR also leads to an increase in depression disorder, change in dietary habits and lower physical activity, which are factors that affect low back pain (LBP) incidence. The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of LBP during LSSR in the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in Atma Jaya Hospital, Jakarta. Methods: This study is a descriptive-analytic research. The data was taken from the medical records of patients whose ages are>18 years old and who complained of LBP symptoms. We divide our data into Pre- (July–December 2019) and during LSSR (July–December 2020). Statistical analysis is significant if α<0.05. Missing data will be excluded. Results: Total orthopedics patients in Atma Jaya Hospital, Jakarta, in pre-and during LSSR were 1405 and 837, respectively. Only around 269 and 178 patients, respectively, had LBP complaints. There is a decrease of 5.2% in traumatic LBP complaints during LSSR compared with pre-LSSR (p=0.13). We found significant differences in number of subjects with HNP (20.1% vs 12.4%, p=0.034) and scoliosis (2.6% vs 8.4%, p=0.005). Pharmacological and physiotherapy were the mainstays of treatment for LBP complaints, with no significant difference in the number of patients who received them. Conclusion: The LSSR does not significantly affect the number of LBP patients in an orthopedic clinic at Atma Jaya Hospital. LSSR might lower the prevalence of HNP with LBP and might increase the prevalence of scoliosis with LBP.