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. 2023 Jan 6;23(1):44.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14932-w.

Short-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on low back pain: data from the PAMPA Cohort, Brazil

Eduardo L Caputo  1   2 , Paulo H Ferreira  3 , Natan Feter  4   5   6   7 , Igor R Doring  6 , Jayne S Leite  8 , Ricardo Alt  9 , Júlia Cassuriaga  4   5 , Felipe F Reichert  4 , Airton J Rombaldi  4   5 , Marcelo C da Silva  4
Affiliations

Short-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on low back pain: data from the PAMPA Cohort, Brazil

Eduardo L Caputo et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the short-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic on low back pain (LBP) outcomes in southern Brazil.

Methods: Data from the PAMPA Cohort were analyzed. Adults were recruited between June and July 2020 in the Rio Grande do Sul state using online-based strategies. Participants responded a self-reported, online questionnaire on LBP with two timepoints: before (retrospectively) and during COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed LBP experience, LBP-related activity limitation (no/yes), and LBP intensity (0 to 10 [strongest pain]).

Results: From a total sample of 2,321 respondents (mean age: 37.6 ± 13.5; 75.4% women), the prevalence of LBP did not change significantly from before (74.7% [95%CI 72.3; 76.9]) to the first months of pandemic (74.2% [95%CI 71.9; 76.3]). However, an increased pain levels (β: 0.40; 95%CI 0.22; 0.58) and a higher likelihood for activity limitation due to LBP was observed (PR 1.14; 95%CI 1.01; 1.29). Longitudinal analyzes showed that age, gender, BMI, chronic diseases, physical activity, and anxiety and depression symptoms, were associated with LBP in the first pandemic months.

Conclusion: Although the prevalence of LBP did not change at the first months of COVID-19 pandemic, LBP-induced impairment in daily activities and pain intensity was higher when compared to before the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Low back pain; Physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Change of LBP (1A), activity limitation (1B) and pain intensity (1C) status from before to during social distancing. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Crude and adjusted prevalence ratio (95%) for LBP (A) and activity limitation (B), and β coefficient (95%CI) for pain intensity, comparing two timepoints (before and during social distancing). Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2020. LBP was adjusted for gender, educational level, BMI, chronic disease and commitment to social distancing. Activity limitation was adjusted for gender, age, chronic disease and commitment to social distancing. Pain intensity was adjusted for gender, age group, educational level, BMI and chronic disease
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References

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