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

Summary The study analyzes whether the COVID-19 pandemic affects the incidence of arm, forearm, and hip fractures. Additionally, the change in the overall cost of those fractures treatment was estimated. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of arm, forearm, and hip fractures and the cost of fracture management are decreased. Introduction Purposes of the study were to analyze if COVID-19 pandemic influences the incidence of arm, forearm, and hip osteoporotic fractures and to estimate the changes in costs of their management. Methods Data on arm, forearm, and hip fracture incidence were collected for inhabitants aged over 50 years in the district of Tarnowskie Góry and the city of Piekary Śląskie, South Poland, in the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic (77 days, from March 16th to May 31st 2020). These results were compared with the number of fractures noted in years 2015–2019 in the same period of the year. The ratio of analyzed fractures per 100,000 inhabitants was calculated. Results The recorded numbers of fractures of arm, forearm, and hip were 13, 43, and 29, respectively. The respective mean number for fractures reported in corresponding period in 2015–2019 years was 23.6, 52, and 33. The year fracture incidence calculated per 100,000 inhabitants decreased by 45.8%, 18.4%, and 13.4%, respectively. The estimated numbers of avoided fractures extrapolated for the whole country for arm, forearm, and hip were 1722, 1548, and 947, respectively. The total number of avoided fractures was 4217. The expected nationwide cost reduction for the arm, forearm, and hip fracture management was estimated at € 568,260, € 332,820, and € 1,628,840, respectively. The total cost reduction was € 2,529,920 over the period of observation. Conclusion During COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease of arm, forearm, and hip fracture incidence was observed which may result in decrease of total costs for Polish healthcare system.