Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the spectrum of trauma patients at a major trauma center in central India: A retrospective observational study

CONTEXT: A total lockdown was announced in India from March 25 to May 31 in four phases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to study the impact of this national lockdown on the volume and the nature of injuries in patients admitted during this period at a major trauma center in central India. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study of prospectively collected data which were collected from the hospital records. Patients admitted to the trauma center during lockdown were compared to patients admitted in the prelockdown period for the change in volume and spectrum and severity of injuries across all age groups and both genders. RESULTS: There was a significant fall in the overall number of trauma patients across all age groups and both genders during the lockdown period (66.8%). There was a significant decrease in numbers among males (68.1%). Road traffic accidents decreased by 75.2%. There was a relative increase in trauma due to falls and assault during the lockdown period. The mortality due to trauma decreased significantly by 79.8%. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an overall decrease in the number of patients admitted to the trauma center during the lockdown period. However, there is a relative increase in preventable injuries such as falls, assault, and animal-related injuries. Focused strategies to decrease preventable injuries need to be devised to reduce the load on overburdened resources during the COVID-19 crisis.