Abstract
During the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, home-quarantine has been necessary, resulting in lifestyle changes that might negatively affect patients with spinal disorders, including a reduction in their quality of life (QoL) and activities of daily living (ADLs). However, studies on this impact are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the age-related changes in QoL and ADLs in patients with spinal disorders, and also identify factors associated with decline in ADLs. This multicenter cross-sectional study included patients who visited four private spine clinics for any symptoms. The study participants either had a clinic reservation, were first-time clinic visitors, or had a return visit to the clinic. The participants completed several questionnaires at two points: pre-pandemic and post-second wave. Changes in patient symptoms, exercise habits, ADLs, and health-related QoL were assessed. A logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of each variable for decline in ADLs. We included 606 patients; among them, 281 and 325 patients were aged <65 and ≥65 years, respectively. Regarding exercise habits, 46% and 48% of the patients in the <65 and ≥65-year age groups, respectively, did not change their exercise habits. In contrast, 40% and 32% of the patients in the <65 and ≥65-year age groups, respectively, decreased their exercise habits. In the multivariate analysis, the adjusted ORs for sex (female), decreased exercise habit, and age >65 years were 1.7 (1.1–2.9), 2.4 (1.4–3.9), and 2.7 (1.6–4.4), respectively. In conclusion, there was a decline in the ADLs and QoL after the COVID-19 outbreak in patients with spinal disorders. Aging, reduction of exercise habits, and female sex were independent factors related to decline in ADLs.
Highlights
Most gyms for elderly people were closed because the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
There was no interaction between age (
This study reported a significant decrease in the EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level (EQ-5D)
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has continued worldwide since early 2020 [1]. The pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on 11 March. 2020, with alarming levels of spread and severity [2]. In Japan, a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was declared between 7 April and 25 May 2020. People were required to stay at home during this period, with their lifestyles changing even after the end of the declaration. During this period, most gyms for elderly people were closed because the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
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