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Decreased volume of hip fractures observed during COVID-19 lockdown

Cristina Ojeda-Thies1, Javier Cuarental-García2, Luis Rafael Ramos-Pascua2,3

  • 1Department of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Avda Córdoba s/n, 28041, Madrid, Spain. cristina.ojeda@salud.madrid.org.

European Geriatric Medicine
|January 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Fragility hip fractures decreased by 26% during COVID-19 lockdown. Patient characteristics remained similar, suggesting confinement measures impacted fracture incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • COVID-19 pandemic led to unprecedented public health interventions, including lockdowns.
  • Fragility hip fractures are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults.
  • Understanding fracture patterns during public health crises is crucial for healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence and patient characteristics of fragility hip fractures during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
  • To compare fracture data from the lockdown period with pre-pandemic years.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of fragility hip fracture cases admitted between March 1st and May 1st, 2020.
  • Comparison of 64 cases with 172 controls from corresponding periods in 2018-2019.
  • Statistical analysis using Poisson Generalized Linear Models and LOESS curves.

Main Results:

  • A 26% reduction in fragility hip fracture admissions was observed during the lockdown (95% CI 1-44%).
  • No significant differences in age, gender, pre-fracture living situation, ambulatory, functional, or cognitive status were found between groups.
  • A higher proportion of patients admitted in 2020 had a high-risk ASA score.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 lockdown was associated with a substantial decrease in fragility hip fracture incidence.
  • Patient demographics and baseline health status remained largely unchanged, indicating the reduction was likely due to external factors related to confinement.
  • These findings highlight the impact of societal changes on acute orthopedic injury patterns.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Global pandemicHip fractureLockdown measures

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