Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2021 Jun;14(2):150-156. doi: 10.1177/1943387520962280. Epub 2020 Sep 29.
ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was undertaken of a cohort of facially injured patients using matched 8-week periods: non-COVID (2019) and COVID (2020).
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were any changes to the frequency and characteristics of facial injury due to the imposition of COVID-19 social distancing measures.
METHODS: The primary predictor variable was an 8-week period of COVID-19 social distancing. The primary outcome variable was the sustaining of a facial injury. Demographic (age/gender) and injury characteristics (mechanism, site, and treatment) were also studied. Descriptive statistical analysis was undertaken and comparison made using Pearson χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests.
RESULTS: The number of facial injuries decreased from 103 (2019) to 73 (2020). There were statistically significant differences in changes over time for the 8-week periods. There were some clinically apparent differences seen in the characteristics of facial injuries.
CONCLUSIONS: The imposition of COVID-19 social distancing changed the frequency and characteristics of facial injury.
PMID:33995836 | PMC:PMC8108105 | DOI:10.1177/1943387520962280
