Abstract
Abstract Aim The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the management of many chronic conditions including osteoporosis as resources are re-allocated to urgent care. Methods This mini-review summarizes the effects of COVID-19 on diagnosis and management of osteoporosis. Evidence regarding possible effects of osteoporosis medications on COVID-19 outcomes and the relationship of COVID-19 vaccination to osteoporosis care is reviewed. Finally, initiation and maintenance of osteoporosis treatment during the pandemic are highlighted. Results The use of standard procedures for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and assessment of fracture risk significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the incidence of fragility fractures was mostly unaltered. Both COVID-19 per se and its treatments are associated with a negative impact on bone health. Osteoporosis medications do not aggravate the clinical course of COVID-19, while preclinical data suggests possible beneficial effects of some therapies. While vitamin D deficiency is clearly associated with a worse clinical course of COVID-19, evidence of outcome improvement through vitamin D supplementation is lacking. Osteoporosis treatment should not be generally discontinued, and recommendations for substituting therapies are available. Osteoporosis therapies do not interfere with the efficacy or side-effect profiles of COVID-19 vaccines and should not be stopped or indefinitely delayed because of vaccination. Conclusion The diagnosis and management of osteoporosis are challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Osteoporosis medications are safe and effective and should be continued. Further studies will elucidate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term bone health.
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