Increased Comorbidity Burden Among Hip Fracture Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City.

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating effect on New York City in the spring of 2020. Several global reports suggested worse early outcomes among COVID-positive patients with hip fractures. However, there is limited data comparing baseline comorbidities among patients treated during the pandemic relative to those treated in non-pandemic conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed at two Level 1 Trauma centers and one orthopedic specialty hospital to assess demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes among 67 hip fracture patients treated (OTA/AO 31, 32.1) during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City (March 20, 2020 to April 24, 2020), including 9 who were diagnosed with COVID-19. These patients were compared to a cohort of 76 hip fracture patients treated 1 year prior (March 20, 2019 to April 24, 2019). Baseline demographics, comorbidities, treatment characteristics, and respiratory symptomatology were evaluated. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

Relative to patients treated in 2019, patients with hip fractures during the pandemic had worse Charlson Comorbidity Indices (median 5.0 vs 6.0,

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hip fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic had worse comorbidity profiles and decreased functional status compared to patients treated the year prior. This information may be relevant in negotiations regarding reimbursement for cost of care of hip fracture patients with COVID-19, as these patients may require more expensive care.

Informations de copyright

© The Author(s) 2021.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.