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Coronaviruses

COVID-19 Risks for Geriatric Patients with Hip Fracture Surgery

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent study published by Yale University has highlighted the risks associated with COVID-19 for geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. The research used a database of 263,771 patients with hip fractures and found that those who contracted COVID-19 within one week of surgery were more likely to experience complications, including minor adverse events, sepsis, and pneumonia. However, patients who contracted COVID-19 more than one week before surgery did not show an increased risk of complications.

Key Takeaways:

  • Geriatric patients with hip fracture surgery are at risk of having COVID-19, which may lead to complications such as minor adverse events, sepsis, and pneumonia.
  • Patients who contract COVID-19 within one week of surgery have a higher odds ratio of experiencing complications compared to those who contract the virus more than one week before surgery.
  • The study used a database of 263,771 patients with hip fractures to identify those who had COVID-19 before, during, or after surgery.
  • Patients with COVID-19 within one week of hip fracture surgery demonstrated greater odds of 90-day complications.
  • The study concluded that patients with COVID-19 diagnoses more than one week preoperatively were not associated with increased odds of any assessed complication.
  • The research was conducted by Joshua G. Sanchez and his team at Yale University's Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.
  • The study aimed to understand the risks of COVID-19 for geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery and to direct care algorithms for these patients.

Statistics:

  • The study used a database of 263,771 patients with hip fractures, of which 976 had COVID-19 within 13 weeks of surgery.
  • Patients with COVID-19 within one week preoperatively demonstrated increased rates of minor adverse events (odds ratio (OR) = 1.50), all adverse events (OR = 1.59), sepsis (OR = 1.70), and pneumonia (OR = 2.35).
  • The study found that patients with COVID-19 diagnoses more than one week preoperatively were not associated with increased odds of any assessed complication.
  • The study observed that patients with COVID-19 within 1 week of hip fracture surgery demonstrated greater odds of 90-day complications.

Sources:

  • 90-Day Complication and Readmission Rates for Geriatric Patients With Hip Fracture at Different Time Points From COVID-19 Positivity: A Database Study. JAAOS, 2024;8(9).
  • NewsRx. Reports Summarize COVID-19 Study Results from Yale University (90-Day Complication and Readmission Rates for Geriatric Patients With Hip Fracture at Different Time Points From COVID-19 Positivity: A Database Study). Information Technology Newsweekly. November 4, 2025; p 108.

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