Introduction The work organization of most French workers was significantly modified (extended implementation of teleworking, work interruptions…) during the first mandatory lockdown set up to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 17 March to 10 May 2020.

Objectives The aim of the study was to estimate the effects of the changes in the work organization due to lockdown on low back pain onset and its evolution.

Methods Workers were retrospectively interviewed online during three waves of the Coviprev study (access panel in the general population) between 8 June and 8 July 2020 about their work situation during lockdown and their low back symptoms before and at the end of the lockdown.

Results The rate of low back pain onset in workers who did not have any low back symptoms prior to the lockdown (n=2,113) was 10.4% [9.1–10.7]. The work situation during the lockdown was associated with significantly increased risks of low back pain in people who began teleworking due to lockdown, and in those who continued to work outside home at a higher pace than usual (compared to working outside home as usual; odds ratio of 2.81 [1.77–4.46] and 2.76 [1.50–5.09], respectively). The work situation during lockdown was also significantly associated with the evolution of low back pain in workers who already suffered from it before the lockdown (n=1,111, 34.3% [32.7–36.0]) with an increased risk of worsening for those who worked outside the home at a higher pace than usual (odds ratio 3.39 [1.38–8.31]) and a higher probability of improvement for those who usually worked from home before the lockdown (odds ratio 1.86 [1.00–3.43]).

Conclusion While the Covid-19 epidemic and teleworking take hold, measures should be implemented in order to prevent an increase in the burden of low back pain in workers.