Thirty-Day Mortality Rate of Patients With Hip Fractures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single Centre Prospective Study in the United Kingdom

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic trauma Vol. 34; no. 9; p. e325
• Main Authors: Thakrar, Amit, Chui, Karen, Kapoor, Akhil, Hambidge, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; COVID-19; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Hip Fractures - complications; Hip Fractures - mortality; Hip Fractures - surgery; Hospital Mortality; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - diagnosis; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; SARS-CoV-2; Survival Rate; Time Factors; United Kingdom; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1531-2291
• DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001889

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the care of hip fracture patients remains a clinical priority. Our study aims to investigate the 30-day mortality rate of hip fracture patients during the first 30 days of the pandemic in the United Kingdom. A single-center, observational, prospective study of patients presenting with hip fractures. Data collection started from "day 0" of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and continued for 30 days. We collected data on time to surgery, Clinical Frailty Scale score, Nottingham Hip Fracture Score, COVID-19 infection status, 30-day mortality, and cause of death. For comparison, we collected retrospective data during the same 30-day period in 2018, 2019, and the previous 6 months (Control groups A, B, and C, respectively). Forty-three patients were included in the study. There was no difference in age or gender between the Study and Control groups. The 30-day mortality rate of the Study group was 16.3%, which was higher than Control groups A (P = 0.022), B (P = 0.003) and C (P = 0.001). The prevalence of COVID-19 infection in our Study group was 26%. Of the 7 mortalities recorded, 4 patients tested positive for COVID-19 infection. In our Study group, COVID-19 infection correlated significantly with 30-day mortality (P = 0.002, odds ratio 2.4). Our study demonstrated a significant increase in 30-day mortality among hip fracture patients during the first 30 days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. A positive COVID-19 test result in patients with hip fractures is associated with a 2.4-fold increase in risk of 30-day mortality. Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.