Purpose COVID-19 changed the dynamics of all healthcare system, leading to the restructuring of inpatient teams as well as the emergency department. Scheduled surgeries were suspended, operating rooms were closed, and anesthesiologists redistributed among the various intensive care units. At the Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga the number of patients admitted to the emergency department decreased to approximately 8.000 during the period of lockdown which ranged from 18th March to 1st June 2020. The aim of this study was to compare the number of patients presenting with hip fractures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with the equivalent period in 2019 and to analyze postoperative outcomes. Methods An observational retrospective study was conducted in two different periods. Patients over the age of 50 years admitted with hip fracture were included for analysis. The data was collected from the hospital database. A general descriptive analysis was performed. Results There was an overall reduction in the number of admissions due to hip fractures in Period 2020 compared with homologous Period in 2019 (68 patients and 94 patients, respectively). No statistically significant differences could be found regarding age, gender, ASA grade and pre-admission residence among patients admitted during these both periods. Nursing home patients in Period 2020 had a longer hospital stay (p=0.03), independently of the functional status (p=0.07). There were no statistically significant differences in the time it took the patient to go to the emergency department after the fall, place where the fracture had occurred, waiting time to perform the surgery, type of treatment performed, post-surgical complications and mortality. There was no relationship between mortality and the time it took the patient to access the emergency department (p=0,487), or mortality and the mean length of stay in the hospital (p=0,151). All the patients admitted to the emergency department in Period 2020 were negative to PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The measures taken by the hospital during the pandemic had no impact in the healthcare provided to the admitted patients. This should be taken into account in order to optimize the efficiency of the health care system in future outbreaks.

Carolina Mazeda

Pedro Bernardo Santos

Paulo Vilas-Boas

Joana Antão

Anabela Barcelos

Acta reumatológica portuguesa

ACTA REUMATÓLOGICA PORTUGUESA 是一份科学同行评审期刊，涵盖风湿性疾病的各个方面以及与风湿病学相关的内容。该杂志发表原创文章、评论、临床病例、风湿病学图像、致编辑的信和临床教学（例如指南和临床协议）。自 1973 年出版以来，ACTA REUMATOLÓGICA PORTUGUESA 是葡萄牙风湿病学会的官方科学出版物，促进风湿病知识和调查以及风湿病学发展的非营利组织。

Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers all aspects of rheumatic diseases and related topics. The journal publishes original research articles, reviews, clinical cases, rheumatology images, letters to the editor, and clinical education materials (such as guidelines and clinical protocols). Since its inception in 1973, Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa has been the official scientific publication of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and research in rheumatology as a non-profit organization.

《Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa》是一本经过同行评审的科学期刊，涵盖风湿性疾病及其相关领域的各个方面。该期刊发表原创研究文章、评论、临床病例、风湿病学图像、致编辑的信件以及临床教学内容（如指南和临床协议）。自1973年创刊以来，《Acta Reumatologica Portuguesa》一直是葡萄牙风湿病学会的官方科学出版物，致力于促进风湿病知识的传播和研究，以及风湿病学的发展。

Category	Quartile
医学	4
医学, 风湿病学	4

What happened to hip fragility fractures during COVID-19 pandemic?

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