MUSCULOSKELETAL INFECTION

The present study summarizes the changes in the prevalence, microbiology, and risk factors of FRI during this period. A prospective single-center cohort study assessed in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), clinical, microbiological aspects, and independent risk factors (RF) of FRI. RFs were estimated by bivariate and multivariate analyses using prevalence ratio (PR) with significance at P < 0.05. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate treatment outcomes. Overall, 132 patients were analyzed, with patients with age over 65 years accounting 65.1%. FRI was diagnosed in 21(15.9%) patients. Independent RFs for FRI were recent and preoperative use of systemic antibiotics (PR: 7.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.2 – 22.4, p = 0.001) and neoplasm (PR: 9.8, 95% CI: 2.0 – 48.8, p = 0.005). Cultures yielded Gram-negative bacteria in 77.8%, 33.3% were MDR. Conclusions: We found higher rates of FRI, predominating in the elderly with closed femoral fractures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous use of antibiotics and immunosuppression conditions were independent factor for FRI. Our outcomes provide evidence to avoid the empirical use of antibiotics prior to surgery for fracture stabilization