Does the Covid-19 pandemic affect ankle fracture incidence? Moderate decrease in Sweden

Figures & data

Table 1. Demographic data on ankle fractures 2017–2019 and 2020

Factor	2017–2019	2020
Age, mean (SD)	54 (20)	52 (20)
median (range)	56 (16–98)	53 (16–100)
Female sex (%)	60	59

Table 2. Number of ankle fractures observed March 15 to June 15, 2017–2019 and 2020

Factor			Monthly rates
	Observed number		2017– 2019	2020	Estimated difference (95% CI)	Change (%) from 2017–2019
	2017– 2019	2020
Total	1,446	417	161	139	–22 (–37 to -6)	–14
Sex
Male	574	173	64	58	–6 (–16 to 4)	–10
Female	872	244	97	81	–16 (–28 to –4)	–16
Age group
	251	68	28	23	–5 (–12 to 1)	–19
30–49	302	108	34	36	2 (–5 to 10)	7
50–69	524	153	58	51	–7 (–17 to 2)	–12
≥ 70	369	88	41	29	–12 (–19 to –4)	–29

Table 3. Observed number of ankle fractures 2017–2019 and 2020, analyzed month by month

Period	Observed number 2017– 2019	Monthly rates
		2017– 2019	2020	Estimated difference (95% CI)	Change (%) from 2017–2019
March 15–April 14	523	174	129	–45 (–72 to –19)	–26
April 15–May 15	431	144	144	0.3 (–27 to 28)	0.2
May 16–June 15	492	164	144	–20 (–48 to 8)	–12

Table 4. Observed number of ankle fractures in 2017–2019 and 2020, analyzed month by month and sub-grouped for sex and into age groups

Period	Observed number 2017– 2019	Monthly rates
		2017– 2019	2020	Estimated difference (95% CI)	Change (%) from 2017–2019
March 15–April 14
Male	200	67	55	–12 (–29 to 6)	–18
Female	323	108	74	–34 (–54 to –13)	–31
April 15–May 15
Male	160	53	56	3 (–14 to 20)	5
Female	271	90	88	–2 (–24 to 19)	–3
May 16–June 15
Male	214	71	62	–9 (–28 to 9)	–13
Female	278	93	82	–11 (–32 to 10)	–12
March 15–April 14
Age < 30	82	27	22	–5 (–16 to 6)	–19
Age 30–49	105	35	28	–7 (–19 to 5)	–20
Age 50–69	190	63	48	–15 (–32 to 1)	–24
Age ≥ 70	146	49	31	–18 (–31 to –4)	–36
April 15–May 15
Age < 30	74	25	19	–6 (–16 to 5)	–23
Age 30–49	90	30	43	13 (–1 to 27)	43
Age 50–69	153	51	52	1 (–15 to 17)	2
Age ≥ 70	114	38	30	–8 (–21 to 5)	–21
May 16–June 15
Age < 30	95	32	27	–5 (–17 to 7)	–15
Age 30–49	107	36	37	1 (–12 to 15)	4
Age 50–69	181	60	53	–7 (–24 to 9)	–12
Age ≥ 70	109	36	27	–9 (–22 to 3)	–26