COVID-19 Infection Was Associated with the Functional Outcomes of Hip Fracture among Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic Apex.

Background and Objectives : Hip fractures are associated with mortality and poor functional outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected patterns of care and health outcomes among fracture patients. This study aimed to determine the influence of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture recovery. Materials and Methods : We prospectively collected data on patients with hip fractures who presented at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital between 9 March 2022 and 9 September 2022. The data included demographic information and functional scores taken before, during, and after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: COVID-19 (+) and COVID-19 (-). Results : This study recruited 85 patients, 12 of whom (14.12%) were COVID-19 (+). No significant differences in preoperative or perioperative parameters between the two groups were observed. The postoperative Barthel index score was significantly impacted by COVID-19 infection ( p = 0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly correlated with general anesthesia ( p = 0.026) and the length of stay ( p = 0.004) in hospital. Poor postoperative functional scores were associated with lower preoperative Barthel index scores ( p < 0.001). Male sex ( p = 0.049), old age ( p = 0.012), a high American Society of Anesthesiologists grade ( p = 0.029), and a high Charlson comorbidity index score ( p = 0.028) were associated with mortality. Conclusions : Hip fracture surgeries were not unduly delayed in our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the patients' postoperative Barthel index scores were significantly influenced by COVID-19 (+). The preoperative Barthel index score may be a good predictive tool for the postoperative functional recovery of these patients.