Background and purpose: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an overall decline in fractures. However, the amount of hip fractures has remained relatively stable throughout the period. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of perioperative COVID-19 infections on mortality among hip fracture patients.
Methods: A meta-analysis was performed by collecting current data available through a systematic literature search in the PubMed database. The search was performed Oct 18 2020.
Results: The meta-analysis was conducted on a trial population consisting of 1.272 hip fracture patients with a pooled prevalence of COVID-19 of 18%. Mortality among hip fracture patients without a perioperative COVID-19 infection was 7.49%. Mortality among hip fracture patients infected with COVID-19 perioperatively was associated with an odds ratio of 6.70 [(95% CI 4.64-9.68), p < 0.00001, I2 = 41%]. A sensitivity analysis showed no major impact of assumptions regarding varying definitions of COVID-19 statuses among the included studies.
Conclusion: Perioperative infections with COVID-19 in hip fracture patients are correlated with a significantly increased mortality. The meta-analysis showed a pooled odds ratio of 6.70 [(95% CI 4.64-9.68), p < 0.00001, I2 = 41%].