Increased Incidence of Hip Fractures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Analysis From a Rural and Aged Community.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a widespread impact on healthcare systems globally, particularly affecting older adults. This study was conducted to investigate long-term changes in hip fracture (HF) incidence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a rural and aged Japanese community. We retrospectively reviewed HF cases (femoral neck and trochanteric fractures) in patients aged ≥65 years at the Shonai Amarume Hospital in the Yamagata prefecture, Japan, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024. Cases were divided into pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and pandemic (2020-2024) periods. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A total of 78 HFs occurred in the pre-pandemic period and 134 during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in patient age or sex ratio between the two groups. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in HF incidence during the pandemic (Wilcoxon p = 0.0461; Kruskal-Wallis p = 0.0495) in this rural and aged community. These findings suggest the need for targeted fall prevention and social support systems for older adults, particularly in aging regions, during public health crises.