The incidence of arm, forearm, and hip osteoporotic fractures during early stage of COVID-19 pandemic

Hip Fracture Incidence Over Twenty Years in Poland: The HiPoL Study

INTRODUCTION

In the previous report, we noted a significant increase in hip fracture incidence in the local study area. The aim of the study was the continuous observation of hip fracture incidence in the local community over the last 20 years and to estimate their projection for the next 30 years.

METHODS

Medical records of the patients aged 50 years and older in the period 2002 - 2021 (local data - area of the district Tarnowskie Góry and the city of Piekary Śląskie) with diagnosis ICD-10: S72.0; S72.1; and S72.2 (only the fragility fractures) were taken into analysis.

RESULTS

2,723 fragility hip fractures in the local area were registered (72 % in women). The increase in the rate was constantly observed, even during the COVID - 19 pandemic. The incidence rate ratio for the local population increased to 1.41. The incidence rate in 2021 was for the total population 230.2 (men 151.3; women 294.2). For comparison in 2002, it was 129.0 (men 48.8; women 192.4). In 2050 the number of fractures according to our new estimation will increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of fragility hip fractures in Polish men and women aged over 50 years in the local population increased. The epidemiological situation is still worsening. Therefore, especially due to the reduction of orthopedic beds and the aging population phenomenon the situation will be tragic to our patients.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Incidence of Fragility Fracture in South Korea

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the consequent social distancing period are thought to have influenced the incidence of osteoporotic fracture in various ways, but the exact changes have not yet been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of osteoporotic fracture using a nationwide cohort.

METHODS

The monthly incidence rates of vertebral; hip; and non-vertebral, non-hip fractures were collected from a nationwide database of the Korean National Health Insurance Review and Assessment from July 2016 to June 2021. Segmented regression models were used to assess the change in levels and trends in the monthly incidence of osteoporotic fractures.

RESULTS

There was a step decrease in the incidence of vertebral fractures for both males (6.181 per 100,000, P=0.002) and females (19.299 per 100,000, P=0.006). However, there was a negative trend in the incidence of hip fracture among both males (-0.023 per 100,000 per month, P=0.023) and females (-0.032 per 100,000 per month, P=0.019). No impact of COVID-19-related social distancing was noted.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, vertebral fracture incidence considerably decreased with the implementation of social distancing measures.

The total number of patients with any of four major fragility fractures decreased during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Japan, commencing before the state of emergency declaration, which was not as enforceable as lockdown

Durin g the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, the total number of patients with any of the four major fragility fractures, including both inpatients and first-visit outpatients, began to decline shortly before the state of emergency was declared, rather than immediately after it was declared.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the impact of public health measures in the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic on the occurrence of major fragility fractures (MFFs).

METHODS

Patients aged 50 years or older who were hospitalized or had an initial visit as an outpatient for an MFF, defined as a proximal femoral fracture (PFF), vertebral fragility fracture (VFF), distal radius fracture (DRF), or a proximal humeral fracture (PHF), were included in this study. Three-phase interrupted time-series analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of the voluntary event cancellation request in late February 2020 and the emergency declaration in early April 2020 on changes in the total number of patients, including inpatients and first-visit outpatients.

RESULTS

A total of 166,560 patients with MFFs were included (92,767 PFFs, 26,158 VFFs, 33,869 DRFs, and 13,766 PHFs). From the end of February, in seven prefectures with high proportions of urbanization, decreasing trends were estimated for level changes and slope changes in the total number of patients with any of the four MFFs (level change: PFF; point estimate; - 13.5 (95% CI; - 43.4, 16.5), VFF; - 15.3 (- 32.2, 1.5), DRF; - 16.1 (- 39.9, 7.6), PHF; - 1.9 (- 13.6, 9.8), slope change: PFF; - 4.8 (- 14.0, 4.4), VFF; - 3.0 (- 8.1, 2.2), DRF; - 0.6 (- 7.9, 6.7), PHF; - 2.4 (- 6.0, 1.2)).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggested that the total number of patients with any of the four MFFs did not begin to decline from early April 2020 after the state of emergency was declared but earlier, in late February 2020.

Analysis of the Effects of COVID-19 on Hip Fractures in Korea Without Lockdown: Interrupted Time Series Analysis Using a Nationwide Cohort

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in the incidence rate, length of hospital stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality rate, and surgical method of hip fractures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in South Korea where lockdown restrictions were not implemented.

METHODS

We calculated the expected values of the incidence of hip fractures, in-hospital mortality and LOS of hip fracture patients in 2020 (COVID period) based hip fracture database of the Korean National Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) during a 9-year period from 2011 to 2019 (pre-COVID period). A generalized estimating equation model with Poisson distribution and logarithmic link function was used to estimate adjusted annual percent change (PC) of incidence rate and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Then, we compared the annual incidence, in-hospital mortality rate and LOS in 2020 with the expected values.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate of hip fracture in 2020 was not significantly different from the expected value (PC, -5%; 95% CI, -13 to 4; P = 0.280). In women, the incidence rate of hip fracture in age groups over 70 years was smaller than the predicted value (P < 0.001). The in-hospital mortality rate was not significantly different from the expected value (PC, 5%; 95% CI, -8 to 19; P = 0.461). The mean LOS was larger than the expected value by 2% (PC, 2%; 95% CI, 1 to 3; P < 0.001). In intertrochanteric fracture, the proportion of internal fixation was smaller than the predicted value by 2% (PC, -2%; 95% CI, -3 to -1; P < 0.001), and that of hemiarthroplasty was larger than the predicted value by 8% (PC, 8%; 95% CI, 4 to 14; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In 2020, the incidence rate of hip fracture did not significantly decrease, and in-hospital mortality rate did not significantly increase compared to the expected rates, which were projected based on the HIRA hip fracture data from 2011 to 2019. Only LOS increased slightly.

Decreasing incidence rates of osteoporotic hip fractures in Ecuador during the COVID-19 pandemic

We aimed at comparing the incidence of hip fractures in older adults from Ecuador before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant reduction in the number of hip fractures, with no change in the length of hospital stay, mortality, and case-fatality rate, during the period of social isolation.

INTRODUCTION

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on fragility fractures is being recently evaluated in the literature. Despite this, data from Latin America in this regard is scarce.

PURPOSE

This study aims to compare the incidence rate of hip fractures before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults who received care in the public and private health system of Ecuador.

METHODS

This was a descriptive and retrospective study that analyzed data of individuals aged 60 years and older who had hip fractures before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information was obtained from the National Hospital Discharge Yearbook. We calculated the incidence, average length of hospital stay, mortality, and case-fatality rate associated with hip fractures.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in the incidence of hip fractures in adults 60 or older during the period of social isolation due to COVID-19. Between March and December 2019, there was an incidence of 152 hip fractures per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas during the same period but in 2020 in the incidence was 110 per 100,000 inhabitants (p < 0.0001). The main decrease was observed in women aged 80 or more. The average length of hospital stay did not show significant changes. Mortality displayed a non-significant decrease (p = 0.14), although this decrease was significant among women (p = 0.02). Case-fatality rate showed a non-significant increase for the whole group (p = 0.68) and for men (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Hip fracture rates decreased significantly in adults aged 60 and older in 2020 compared to 2019. This decrease of hip fracture incidence rates was mainly due to the reductions observed in older people and women. The average length of hospital stay, mortality, and case-fatality rate associated with hip fractures did not show significant changes during the pandemic.

Effects of COVID-19 confinement on the incidence and mortality of major osteoporotic fractures: an observational study in Catalonia, Spain

There is little information on how the COVID-19 lockdown influenced the epidemiology of major osteoporotic fractures (MOF). We analyzed the incidence and mortality of MOF in 2020 compared with 2018-2019 in Catalonia, Spain. The incidence of MOF decreased steeply, and post-fracture mortality increased during the lockdown and throughout 2020.

PURPOSE

To analyze the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) incidence and mortality in Catalonia in 2020 and describe how age, sex, and the prior comorbidity burden influenced the epidemiology of MOF types.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, data on age and sex in people aged ≥ 50 years with a new diagnosis of MOF in 2018, 2019, and 2020 were collected. Average daily rates (ADR) were estimated overall and for five MOF: hip, distal forearm, proximal humerus, vertebrae, and pelvis. Morbidity was assessed using Adjusted Morbidity Groups. ADR in 2020 and the previous years were compared for overall and site-specific MOF in four consecutive time periods: pre-confinement, lockdown, deconfinement, and post-confinement. Thirty-day post-fracture mortality was assessed. COVID-19-related mortality was obtained from the Catalan COVID-19 register.

RESULTS

From 2018 to 2020, there were 86,412 MOF. The ADR of MOF initially increased in 2020 before the pandemic, decreased steeply during lockdown, and remained lower in the rest of the year. The decrease was steeper in vertebral, pelvic and arm fractures, and lower in hip fractures. Differences were more pronounced in younger age groups and people with fewer comorbidities. Mortality increased throughout 2020, reaching a 2.5-fold increase during lockdown. Excess mortality was directly associated with COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

Mobility restrictions due to COVID-19 were associated with a reduction in MOF incidence in Catalonia, especially in younger people and in non-hip fractures. Post-fracture mortality was higher than in previous years due to the high COVID-19 mortality in the elderly.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on osteoporotic hip fractures in Chile

The study analyzes whether the COVID-19 pandemic affects annual hip fractures (HF) rates and weekly emergency department (ED) consultations and hospitalizations due to trauma in older people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HF rates and ED consultation and hospitalization rates due to trauma decreased.

PURPOSE

To describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on annual HF rates and weekly ED consultation and hospitalization rates due to trauma in Chile in 2020, compared to 2016-2019.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted based on data from Chile's Department of Statistics and Health Information. Annual HF admissions, weekly ED consultations and hospitalizations due to trauma were described for the years 2016-2020, grouping the years 2016-2019 to compare them with 2020. Rates were calculated per 100.000 inhabitants.

RESULTS

From 2016 to 2020, a total of 35.050 patients aged ≥ 65 years were hospitalized in Chile with a diagnosis of HF, with the lowest number of admissions in 2020 (6.423). During 2020, annual HF rate was 273.6/100.000, representing a decrease of 18.5% compared to the average annual HF rate of 2016-2019 (335.7/100.000). In 2020, the weekly consultation rate due to trauma in older adults decreased by 20.8% and the weekly hospitalization rate due to trauma in older adults decreased by 18.5%.

CONCLUSION

During the COVID-19 pandemic, osteoporotic HF rates decreased, along with ED consultation and hospitalization rates due to trauma in older adults. This could be a result of mobility restrictions and a significant increase in the proportion of self-reliant older adults in the Chilean population.

The Impact of COVID-19 on SARSCoV-2-Negative Elderly Patients with Hip Fractures: A Single-Center Retrospective Study from Shanghai, China

Purpose

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought an unprecedented change in wellbeing globally. The spread of the pandemic reportedly reduced the incidence of activity-related trauma, while that of fragility fractures remained stable. Here, we aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 negative elderly patients with hip fractures.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study included elderly patients with hip fractures between 1st January and 9th May during the COVID-19 pandemic (Experiment group) and the same period from 2017 to 2019 (Control group). Perioperative mortality, complications, and functional recovery were compared between two groups of different time frame in the total cohort and patients who received surgical treatment. Multiple linear regression was carried out to identify the risk factors influencing the prognosis of COVID-negative elderly patients with hip fractures.

Results

The proportion of patients with admission time less than 24 hours and the 6-month postoperative Parker score were significantly decreased during COVID-19 compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression demonstrated that TTA (defined as time from injury to admission), rehabilitation after discharge and outpatient follow-up were associated with the 6-month Parker score in the total population (p < 0.001) and in patients who received surgical treatment (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Elderly patients with hip fractures had a poorer prognosis in epidemic period despite being COVID-19 negative. Factors including timely admission, postoperative follow-up, and rehabilitation could optimize safety and significantly improve the prognosis of elderly COVID-19 negative patients with hip fractures, even during a pandemic.

One year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland-the incidence of osteoporotic forearm, arm, and hip fractures

The study attempts to analyse whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the incidence of forearm, arm, and hip fractures during a 1-year observation period. Additionally, changes in the overall treatment costs of those fractures were estimated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of forearm, arm, and hip fractures remained statistically unchanged, neither were any significant changes observed in the expenditure, incurred for the treatment of the fracture cases.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to find out and evaluate if the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic (including lockdown and the fear of infection) influenced the incidence of osteoporotic forearm, arm, and hip fractures and to estimate the changes in the costs of their management during one-year observation period.

METHODS

The incidence of forearm, arm, and hip fractures was collected for the population, aged ≥ 50, residing at the district of Tarnowskie Góry and the Town of Piekary Śląskie, Poland, during 1 year of COVID-19 pandemic (from March 16th 2020 to March 15th 2021). The obtained results were compared with the number of corresponding limb fractures, recorded before the pandemic during five consecutive yearly periods, each starting from 16th March and ending on the 15th March of a subsequent year, the entire period covering the years 2015-2020. The rates of the analysed fractures were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants together with their economic impact.

RESULTS

The mean numbers and the incidence rates of upper extremity fractures were slightly lower during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the previous 5 years, whereas hip fracture figures remained almost stable. The observed changes were not statistically significant. That annual observation revealed a slight decrease in expenditure volumes, when compared to the analysed period before the pandemic (-0.33%).

CONCLUSION

The decreased incidence rate of forearm, arm, and hip fractures, observed during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, was not statistically significant in the 1-year observation. After several weeks/months under the shock, caused by government limitations and the fear of infection, the number of patients remained unchanged during the one-year observation.

Remote management of osteoporosis in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

We conducted a survey during the first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on a large group of osteoporotic patients to evaluate the general conditions of osteoporotic patients and the impact of the pandemic on the management of osteoporosis, finding high compliance to treatments and low COVID-19 lethality.

INTRODUCTION

During the first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 209,254 cases were diagnosed in Italy; fatalities were 26,892 and were overwhelmingly older patients. The high prevalence of osteoporosis in this age group suggests a potential relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and bone metabolism.

METHODS

In a telephone survey conducted from April to May 2020, patients from the Osteoporosis Center, Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of Umberto I Hospital (Ancona, Italy), were interviewed to evaluate the general clinical conditions of osteoporotic patients, compliance with osteoporosis medications, COVID-19 prevalence, hospitalization rate, COVID-19 mortality, and lethality.

RESULTS

Among the 892 patients interviewed, 77.9% were taking osteoporosis treatment and 94.6% vitamin D supplementation as prescribed at the last visit. COVID-19-like symptoms were reported by 5.1%, whereas confirmed cases were 1.2%. A total number of 33 patients had been in hospital and the hospitalization rate of those who had not discontinued vitamin D supplementation was less than 4%. There were eight deaths, two with a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis. The prevalence of severe osteoporosis was 50% in total COVID-19 patients and 87.5% in deceased COVID-19 patients. The overall COVID-19 mortality was 0.2%; lethality was 20%, lower than the national rate of the same age group.

CONCLUSIONS

This large group of osteoporotic patients showed high compliance and lower COVID-19 lethality compared to patients of the same age. Novel approaches such as telemedicine can provide critical support for the remote follow-up of patients with chronic diseases also in the setting of routine care.

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

IMPORTANCE

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a number of unprecedented challenges to the health care system in France, where hip fractures in the elderly population are a major public health concern.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association of the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in France with the absolute number of hip fractures among patients 50 years or older.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study used data from the French national hospitals database to identify patients 50 years or older who were hospitalized for hip fracture in France from January to July 2019 and January to July 2020.

EXPOSURES

The first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown in France from March 16 to May 10, 2020.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcome was the number of hospitalizations for hip fracture from January to July 2020 (study period) compared with the number of hospitalizations for hip fracture during the same period in 2019 (control period). Hospitalization rate ratios (HRRs) comparing the study period with the control period were calculated for 3 intervals (before lockdown [January 1 to March 15], during lockdown [March 16 to May 10], and after lockdown [May 11 to July 31]) and were stratified by gender, age and hospital type.

RESULTS

The study included 46 393 patients hospitalized for hip fracture during January to July 2019 (34 589 [74.4%] women; mean [SD] age, 82.8 [10.5] years) and 44 767 patients hospitalized for hip fracture from January to July 2020 (33 160 [74.1%] women; mean [SD] age, 82.9 [10.5] years). During the lockdown in 2020, 10 429 patients (23.30%) were hospitalized for hip fracture compared with 11 782 patients (25.40%) during the same period in 2019 (HRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.86-0.91; P < .001). The lockdown period was associated with a decrease in the number of hip fractures of 11% among women (from 8756 in 2019 to 7788 in 2020) and 13% among men (from 3026 in 2019 to 2641 in 2020). When the absolute number of hip fractures was stratified by age group, the lockdown period was associated with a decrease in the number of hip fractures in all age groups except in patients older than 89 years (HRR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.92-1.01; P = .17). In the group of patients aged 80 to 89 years, the number of hip fractures decreased from 4925 to 4370 (HRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.85-0.92; P < .001). During the lockdown, hospitalizations decreased by 33% (HRR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.63-0.71; P < .001) in public university hospitals and by 24% (HRR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.73-0.79; P < .001) in public general hospitals but increased by 46% (HRR, 1.46; 95% CI,1.38-1.54; P < .001) in private for-profit hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, hospitalizations for hip fractures in France decreased by 11% during the first nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-lasting consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of osteoporotic fractures.