IMPACTO DE LA PANDEMIA POR COVID-19 EN LA EPIDEMIOLOGÍA, MANEJO Y SUPERVIVENCIA DE LOS PACIENTES CON FRACTURA DE CADERA

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a reorganization of health resources towards the care of patients with severe respiratory syndrome. While the incidence of traumatic pathology was reduced, this was not the case with hip fractures, and their management could be compromised. The objective of this study is to evaluate the consequences of the pandemic on the epidemiology, management and outcomes of hip fracture. Material and methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was done including patients with hip fracture treated between March 2019 and February 2021, establishing two groups for comparison, before and after the onset of the pandemic. Demographic variables, comorbidities, history of fragility fracture and hip fracture, type of fracture and type of treatment performed, surgical delay, length of hospital stay, and PCR result for SARS-CoV2 upon admission were recorded. In-hospital mortality rate and survival at 1 and 6 months were analyzed. Results: 251 patients were included, 137 (54.58%) PRE-COVID group and 114 (45.42%) POST-C group. There were no differences in demographic variables, comorbidities, type of fracture, or treatment performed. The absolute incidence was reduced by 16.8% and the relative incidence was reduced by 17.6%, this difference was significant during lockdown period and in the months o January and February, the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19. The incidence of PCR + on admission was 1.75%. No significant differences were found in surgical delay, hospital stay and mortality, survival at one month or at 6 months. Conclusion: With the COVID-19 pandemic, specific reductions in the incidence of hip fractures have been observed, without changes in its epidemiology, indicators of hospital management and in patient survival at one and 6 months.