Analysis of Hip Fractures in France During the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Spring 2020

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Hip fractures are a significant public health concern in the elderly population.
• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
• Understanding the pandemic's impact on non-COVID-19 related health issues is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in France and the number of hip fractures.
• To analyze hip fracture incidence in patients aged 50 years and older during the lockdown period compared to the previous year.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study utilizing French national hospital data.
• Inclusion of patients aged 50+ hospitalized for hip fracture from January to July 2019 and 2020.
• Comparison of hip fracture hospitalizations before, during, and after the lockdown period (March 16 - May 10, 2020).

Main Results:

• A total of 46,393 hip fractures in 2019 and 44,767 in 2020 were analyzed.
• During the lockdown, hip fracture hospitalizations decreased by 11% (HRR, 0.89; P < .001).
• Reductions were noted in women (11%) and men (13%), and in age groups up to 89 years, but not in those older than 89.

Conclusions:

• The first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in France was associated with an 11% decrease in hip fracture hospitalizations.
• The findings highlight potential impacts of public health interventions on other critical health conditions.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term consequences of the pandemic on osteoporotic fractures.