The psychological and clinical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic patients: An Italian gender-specific analysis

Abstract

This observational study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on orthopaedic patients’ psychology and clinical management, focusing on gender differences in the following items: (1) pain perception and therapeutic compliance during the pandemic, compared with the pre-pandemic period; (2) relationship doctorpatient (considering both general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons); (3) patient referral to Orthopaedic emergency room. An Ad Hoc online questionnaire was developed and administered to patients referring to Orthopaedic emergency departments and Orthopaedic outpatient departments throughout Italy, between March and April 2020. The patients’ psychological status during the pandemic was evaluated, mainly focusing on the following aspects, i.e., the fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection, the perceived risk of COVID-19 contagion and the compliance with the COVID-19 restrictions. Differences between genders were also assessed. 782 patients finally took part in the present study. A significant decrease of general practitioner and Orthopaedic surgeon clinical referral was recorded during the lockdown period, compared with pre-COVID period (p<0.001; p=0.031). Nonetheless, the number of phone calls to the general practitioner did not undergo substantial differences (p=0.093), compared to patients’ the phone consult with orthopaedic surgeons (p=0.042). A significant correlation was found between the fear of COVID-19 contagion the perceived risk of contracting the infection (p<0.001). The COVID pandemic significantly impacted on orthopaedic patients’ psychology and perception of the disease. During the lockdown, patients gave a higher priority to the pandemic event and significantly reduced the treatment of their orthopaedic disease.