Effect of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 on the incidence and risk factors for deep vein thrombosis in patients with hip fracture: a retrospective study

PurposeThis retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 on the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with hip fractures. Hip fractures are common in the elderly, and previous research has shown that they accounted for 58.3% of traumatic fractures in older inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Meanwhile, the relationship between COVID-19 and DVT is complex. Some studies have reported that the incidence of DVT in critically ill COVID-19 patients can be as high as 46%, and 20% in those with moderate-to-severe cases. However, the impact of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 on DVT risk in hip fracture patients remains unclear.MethodsAdult patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures between December 8, 2022, and January 9, 2023, were included in the study. All patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and were assessed for DVT preoperatively using doppler ultrasonography (DUS). Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for DVT.ResultsThe records of 98 patients with hip fractures, were included in the analysis, of whom 63 were SARS-CoV-2 positive and 35 were SARS-CoV-2 negative. Pre-operative DUS showed that 36/98 patients (37%) had DVT, including 25/63 (40%) patients with COVID-19, and 11/35 (31%) patients without COVID-19. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that pre-operative leukocyte count and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were independent risk factors for DVT, whereas mild-to-moderate COVID-19 was not an independent risk factor for DVT. In patients with hip fractures, COVID-19 did not significantly increase the risk of DVT.ConclusionsTherefore, in patients with hip fractures, DVT prevention measures should be implemented routinely, regardless of COVID-19 status.