Examination of Pain, Quality of Life, Disability, and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Disc Surgery with and without COVID-19.

Aim: This study aims to examine pain, disability, anxiety, and quality of life in patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation (LDH) surgery with and without COVID-19. Material and Method: Eighty patients who were diagnosed with LDH and planned surgery between March and September 2023 were included in the study. 50% of the patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 for at most six months, according to the positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. 50% of the patients had no symptoms of COVID-19, ranging from mild to severe, and the PCR test was negative (-). The patients' pain level, disability, anxiety, and quality of life were evaluated and compared between the groups with and without COVID. Results: The mean scores of physical roles, physical function, mental health, body pain, and social function on the SF-36 quality of life scale in the LDH+COVID-19 (+) patient group were significantly lower than those in LDH+COVID-19 (-) (p<0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant difference was observed between pain, anxiety, and disability levels in favor of the LDH+COVID-19 (+) patient group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Patients with COVID-19 undergoing LDH surgery have poor quality of life with high levels of anxiety, pain, and disability. Therefore, it is important to consider the current results during the postoperative rehabilitation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]