SARS-CoV-2 Infection is Associated with Low Back Pain: Findings from a Multicenter Community-Based Case-Control Study

Background: Pain is a significant complaint of post-acute COVID-19 patients; however, little is known about the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pain. This study aimed to (1) examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and low back pain (LBP) and (2) identify independent predictors of LBP among COVID-19 survivors. Method: This case-control study involved 878 participants aged ≥18 years. LBP was measured using the musculoskeletal subscale of subjective health complaints produced by Eriksen et al. Descriptive analysis was done to compute LBP prevalence and compare them across groups. Multiple logistic analyses helped to identify the predictors of LBP for COVID-19 survivors. Findings: Overall, 20% of participants reported LBP; however, the prevalence of LBP was significantly high among post-acute COVID-19 patients compared to their counterparts (24.4% vs 15.7%, p=0.001). Regression analysis for all participants suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 infection was independently associated with LBP (AOR=1.837, 95% CI=1.253 to 2.692). However, moderate COVID-19 illness (AOR=1.754, 95% CI=0.984 to 3.126) was the only statistically significant predictor of LBP. Interpretation: SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with LBP, and moderate COVID-19 symptom was an independently associated factor of LBP. The healthcare facilities must be prepared to deal with the burden of LBP among post-acute COVID-19 patients.Trial Registration Details: Prospective registration for the case-control study was obtained from the WHO endorsed Clinical Trial Registry- India: CTRI/2022/02/040449 [Registered on 21/02/2022].Funding Information: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.Declaration of Interests: All authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The Ethical Review Committee of Uttara Adhunik Medical College and Hospital formally approved the study. The STROBE guideline for the case-control study was followed strictly throughout the study. All the invited participants were required to provide informed consent for participation, collection, and analysis of their data.