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Bone fractures during the time of coronavirus
Sumiyo Umeda-Raffa1, Joseph V Pergolizzi2,3, Robert B Raffa2,4,5
1Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science (form. faculty), Hokkaido, Japan.
What Is Known And Objective:
In response to rapid spread of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and lack of vaccine or effective treatment for COVID-19 disease, governments imposed measures that resulted in a shift from work and school to isolation at home. Studies from three countries (China, Belgium and the United States) report the consequences on traumatic bone fractures.
Comment:
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a widespread change to a relative sedentary lifestyle and decreased exposure to light (vitamin D). A consequence of the stay-at-home policies is a negative change in bone-health and environmental surroundings that has led to age-related changes in the number of traumatic bone fractures.
What Is New And Conclusion:
A consequence of stay-at-home policies has been a decline in bone fractures for young and middle-aged adults; but an increase for the elderly. The trends are predicted to reverse, and present new problems, when isolation restrictions are removed.
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