Abstract

Aim: Prevalence of low back pain and osteoporosis in health care workers after the COVID 19 pandemic.
Material and methods: The present prospective study was conducted among 300 apparently healthy adults who are working as a health care individual in the institute. A questionnaire addressing known risk factors for osteoporosis was made. The severity of the LBP was graded using a visual analogue scale for pain (VAS). The VAS is a reliable scale used to register the intensity of chronic pain where 0 signifies no pain and 10 signifies the worst pain imaginable. Those who had chronic LBP were also questioned on whether the onset of LBP preceded the Covid-19 pandemic, and whether the severity of the LBP had increased during the pandemic.
Results: Light, moderate, sedentary and vigorous physical activity was revealed in 50.1%, 33.6%, 11.1% and 5.2% of the subjects respectively. >1 hour sun exposure in a day was reported among 15.4% of the subjects.In this study, low back was found among 42.7% of the subjects. Mean BMD level was -0.49±2.40. Mean BMD level was lower in subjects having back pain, sedentary/vigorous physical activity and no sun exposure as compared to counterparts.
Conclusion: The confinement decreed due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in LBPintensity among health care workers