Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 16, 2013
Idiopathic Scoliosis Trends One Year After COVID-19: A Retrospective Study
Ana Pereira1, Diana Lima1, Mariana Martins1
1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Central Lisbon University Hospital Center, Lisboa, PRT.
Insights
Healthcare reorganization during COVID-19 impacted spine deformity (SD) referrals, with a significant drop in 2020. However, the number of consultations remained stable, though more patients required bracing, suggesting delayed presentations.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread healthcare service reorganization.
- Disruptions may have compromised management of non-pandemic related conditions, including spine deformities.
- Spine Deformities (SD) consultations faced challenges in patient referral and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Spine Deformities (SD) consultations.
- To evaluate changes in patient referrals, diagnoses, treatments, and consultation frequency.
- To assess the implications of pandemic-related healthcare disruptions on spine deformity care.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective descriptive case series study.
- Inclusion of patients from a Spine Deformities (SD) consultation (January 2019 - December 2021).
- Analysis of diagnosis, treatment, referral patterns, and consultation numbers, including online consultations.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in referrals was observed in 2020 (p<0.001).
- Average consultations per patient did not significantly change in 2020.
- Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) was the primary diagnosis for new patients; 22% of consultations were online.
- An 18% increase in IS patients requiring bracing in 2021 was noted, without an increase in late referrals.
Conclusions:
- Despite reduced referrals in 2020, no overcompensation occurred in 2021.
- Increased bracing needs in idiopathic scoliosis patients may indicate delayed initial presentation to SD consultations.
- Pandemic-induced healthcare shifts necessitate continued monitoring of specialized care access and patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Introduction The reorganization of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with compromised management of conditions not related to the pandemic. Methods A retrospective descriptive case series study was carried out that included patients followed up at the Spine Deformities (SD) consultation at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário Lisboa Central from January 2019 through December 2021 regarding diagnosis, treatment, referral, and the number of consultations performed. Results Referrals significantly dropped in 2020 (p<0.001). The average number of consultations per patient was found to not vary significantly in 2020 despite the reorganization of our healthcare unit due to the pandemic. 22% of the consultations were performed online. Idiopathic scoliosis (IS) was the primary diagnosis in 50% of the patients observed for the first time during the three-year time period. An increase of 18% was found in the number of IS patients that required bracing in 2021. However, late referrals, defined as the patient meeting surgical criteria at the time of initial presentation, did not increase. Conclusion Despite the significant decrease in primary care referrals during 2020, an overcompensation increase in referrals was not observed in 2021. However, the increase in the percentage of patients needing bracing might reflect a delayed initial presentation to the SD consultation.
More Related Videos
06:28Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
05:30Surgical Approach and Complications of Stand-alone Lateral Trans-Psoas Interbody Fusion
Published on: February 14, 2025
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bias in Epidemiological Studies
01:08Prevalence and Incidence
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
01:12General Case of Eccentric Axial Loading
Consider a member subjected to equal and opposite forces that are applied along a line that does not coincide with the member's neutral axis. In unsymmetrical...