Epidemiology of Vertebral Compression Fracture under Covid-19 Pandemic

Study Design:
Retrospective cohort.

Objectives:
Evaluate the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic`s first wave on the incidence, treatment, and mortality rate of patients with VCF.

Methods:
Cohort of patients diagnosed with VCF between 2018-2020.

Results:
Our Cohort included 253 patients. 2020 Patients were significantly younger (72.8 years) than 2018-2019 (77.2 years), with a 1.5 times higher incidence of high-energy fractures. The incidence of recurrent fractures was five times higher during the COVID period (5.1 % vs 1%), with significantly higher rates of AS or DISH (8.5% vs 2.1%). ED admission rates were similar, with higher proportions of patients operated on in 2020 (42% vs 30%). RR for BKP+Fixation vs BKP alone was 1.18. Post-surgical complication rates were significantly higher during 2020 (19% vs 4%). We found no difference in surgical complications but substantially higher medical complication rates (RR=4.11). Admission length was longer during 2020 (11.1 vs 8.6 days), Adjusted RR was 1.17. Only 28.8 sent to institutional rehabilitation in 2020 compared to 41.2% in previous years.

Conclusion:
The Covid-19 pandemic significantly affected our work; patients and medical personnel required adjustments and a better understanding of the situation. VCF are very common, and while the health system was preoccupied with the pandemic, patients still need proper care. While this pathology was as common as before, behaviour and expectations have changed. Whether Covid-19 will remain an issue in the upcoming years, its impact and lessons are still worthwhile.