Challenges in Utilization of Osteoporosis Healthcare Services during COVID-19 Pandemic in Romania - a Nationwide Population Study.

This study compares the utilization of osteoporosis and osteoporosis complication healthcare services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania. The descriptive nationwide population study has used secondary data collected from the national health information system. We have calculated and compared the procedures performed for osteoporosis diagnosis and screening, standardized incidence and hospitalization rate for osteoporosis and osteoporosis fractures before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 37.84% reduction in the number of DXA scans performed in 2020 have been observed, decreasing from 30,698 in 2019 to 12,064 in 2020. The standardized incidence for osteoporosis was 212.97 cases/100.000 person-years in 2018, 234 cases/100,000 person-years in 2019, and 185.97 cases/100,000 person-years in 2020. The hospitalization rates for osteoporosis have decreased by 68% compared with 2019 and the continuous hospitalization rate for osteoporotic fracture by 48% compared with 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the utilization of healthcare services for osteoporosis management, posing a threat due to a magnified effect on osteoporotic fracture burden. More efforts are further needed to progress and re-engage with osteoporotic fracture prevention in our country and to develop and shape an optimal implementation of prevention and management strategies for all level of health care in Romania.