Factors Associated With Craniocervical and Otological Symptoms in Healthcare Workers During Covid‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐Sectional Study

TL;DR

Healthcare workers during the pandemic experienced more headaches, neck pain, and ear issues, likely due to PPE use and stress.

Contribution

Identifies specific factors linked to increased craniocervical and otological symptoms in healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Findings

Depressive symptoms and co-occurring health issues were linked to new craniocervical symptoms.

PPE use and orofacial pain were associated with new otological symptoms.

Working in nursing wards and lack of physical activity worsened pre-existing symptoms.

Abstract

Increased personal protective equipment (PPE) use, working hours and psychological disorders were observed among healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic, possibly leading to craniocervical and otological symptoms.

This study aimed to identify factors associated with craniocervical and otological symptoms in healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

A total of 147 healthcare workers in the care of patients with COVID‐19 were included. Craniocervical symptoms (headache, orofacial pain and neck pain), otological symptoms and PPE use before and during the pandemic were assessed. Pearson's chi‐square, McNemar's tests, the paired t‐test and a binary logistic regression were used for analysis.

The onset of symptoms during the pandemic was 44.2% for headache, 36.7% for orofacial pain, 38.0% for neck pain and 54.4% for otological symptoms. Worsening of pre‐existing symptoms was observed for headache (59.5%), orofacial pain (60.8%), neck pain (38.7%), and otological symptoms (29.4%). Depressive symptoms, associated symptoms and co‐occurrence of symptoms during the pandemic were associated with the onset of craniocervical symptoms (OR 2.42–3.99). The use and duration of surgical masks before the pandemic and face shield and orofacial pain during the pandemic were associated factors to the onset of otological symptoms (OR 2.98–3.89). Working in the nursing ward, female sex, lack of physical activity and previous medical history were associated with the worsening of pre‐existing craniocervical symptoms (OR 3.25–4.72).

Craniocervical and otological symptoms increased among healthcare workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Addressing biopsychosocial factors may mitigate the health burden and improve the quality of care.

Healthcare workers experienced increased craniocervical and otological symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

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