Why Algologists Underworked in the Pandemic?

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of applications to the Algology Outpatient Clinic and the interventional treatments applied. Methods: The clinical and demographic data of the patients who applied to the Algology Outpatient Clinic between 01.03.2019 and 01.03.2021 were scanned retrospectively. Patients were classified in terms of age, gender, cause of pain and interventional treatment. According to the data obtained, the patients were divided into two groups as before the pandemic (Group I) and during the pandemic (Group II). Results: A total of 14412 patient (9194 patients in Group I and 5218 patients in Group II) data were analyzed. In both Group II (63.3%) and Group I (69.4%) women's admission rate was higher. The mean age was 61.0 in Group II and 55.5 in Group I. Interventional treatment application rate was lower in Group II (13%) than Group I (52.4%). The most common interventional treatment was for myofascial pain in Group I (p=0.001) and for low back pain in Group II (p=0.001). In addition, the rate of interventional treatment for joint pain (p=0.035) in Group I, upper extremity pain (p=0.001) and headache (p=0.020) in Group II was higher. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in the number of patients who applied to the Algology Outpatient Clinic and the rate of interventional treatments applied. Pharmacological agents preferred more in the treatment. During the pandemic, the rate of interventional treatments for low back pain, headache and extremity pain increased.