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Disruption of bone densitometry practice in a Northern Italy Orthopedic Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary We report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bone densitometry practice in a Northern Italy Orthopedic Hospital, comparing the first 4 months of 2020 with the corresponding period of 2019. COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on the daily practice of bone densitometry (about − 50% o...
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Published in: | Osteoporosis international 2021-01, Vol.32 (1), p.199-203 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Summary
We report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bone densitometry practice in a Northern Italy Orthopedic Hospital, comparing the first 4 months of 2020 with the corresponding period of 2019. COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on the daily practice of bone densitometry (about − 50% of examinations).
Introduction
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic radically changes hospital organization to guarantee patient and staff safety, with the unavoidable cessation of normal outpatient activities. We report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) testing in a Northern Italy Orthopedic Hospital.
Methods
We analyzed the number of DXA examinations performed at our Institution before, during the lockdown, and immediately after outpatient practice reopening (January 24th to May 27th, 2020), comparing them with the corresponding period of 2019.
Results
The number of DXA examinations showed a tremendous reduction from
n
= 1247 performed from January to May 2019 to
n
= 623 of 2020 (− 49.9%). No exams were performed in April 2020 (− 100%). On May 2020, a faint resume was observed, with
n
= 43 DXA (− 84.4% compared to 2019).
Conclusion
COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive effect on the daily practice of bone densitometry with DXA. After reopening, we observed a persistence of DXA examination reduction, confirming the fact that returning to normality will probably be a slow process. |
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ISSN: | 0937-941X 1433-2965 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00198-020-05587-7 |