Skip to main content

COVID-19 Pandemic Had Negative Impact on Bone Health in Young Adults

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Nov 22, 2023.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 22, 2023 -- The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on bone health in young adults, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in the American Journal of Human Biology.

Darina Falbová, Ph.D., from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia, and colleagues assessed 773 Slovak young adults aged 18 to 30 years to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lifestyle factors on radius forearm bone and total bone mineral content.

The researchers found that compared with before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the pandemic, the speed of sound (SOS) was significantly lower along the length of the forearm radius bone, and Z-score values were also significantly lower. In the male group, significantly lower bone mineral content (BMC) values were seen during versus before the pandemic. The negative pandemic effect was confirmed by regression analysis for SOS, Z-score, and BMC (for men). In women, but not men, vitamin D was a significant predictor of SOS. Significant predictors of BMC in men included the pandemic, physical activity, and fat mass percentage.

"We indicate that the pandemic has negative impact on bone quality and health, and this should be further evaluated as an important symptom of long-COVID syndrome," the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted November 2023

Further Support and Information on COVID-19

Read this next

COVID-19 Vaccination Not Tied to Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 -- mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, according to a study published in the...

Cannabis Use Tied to Risk of COVID-19 Hospitalizations, ICU Admissions

TUESDAY, June 25, 2024 -- Current cannabis use may be an independent risk factor for COVID-19–related complications, according to a study published online June 21...

Maternal Distress Tied to Changes in Brain Growth of Offspring

FRIDAY, June 21, 2024 -- Regional neonatal brain volumes are associated with elevated maternal psychological distress, according to a study published online June 20 in JAMA...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.