tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Front Public Health
. 2026 Feb 19:14:1758835.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1758835. eCollection 2026.
Influence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection on bone health in the population over 55 years old in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study
Qian Qiu[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tong Wu[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 3 [/SUP], Yuyong Jiang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zimeng Shang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Wanxin Shi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Xiaohui Zhang[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Xu Han[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Zhiyun Yang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Xieyuan Jiang[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Xiuying Liu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Despite the global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, relatively little is known regarding its association with osteoporosis in older adults. This study investigated the potential impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on bone health or osteoporosis risk in adults aged 55 years and older in Beijing, China, while also exploring additional factors that may influence this association.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China, between August and December 2024. Patients aged ≥ 55 years with SARS-CoV-2 infections were included. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, diet, serum contents of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD), and other potential risk factors for osteoporosis were collected through structured questionnaires. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). To identify the variables associated with osteoporosis, logistic regression analysis was employed.
Results: Three hundred and eighty-eight patients were enrolled, comprising 272 individuals with a single SARS-CoV-2 infection and 116 with two or more infections. The results revealed that individuals who had reinfection revealed a considerably higher prevalence of osteoporosis (48.3% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.0001). This trend was consistent across different skeletal sites: 33.6% vs. 7.4% at the left hip, 37.9% vs. 5.5% at the right hip (p < 0.0001), and 30.2% vs. 12.9% at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) (p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 reinfection remained substantially associated with osteoporosis after controlling for con-founding variables, with an OR of 3.08 (95% CI: 1.696-5.593).
Conclusion: In summary, the risk of osteoporosis among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection should be carefully monitored, and greater emphasis should be placed on early, individualized prevention and treatment strategies.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; aging; bone mineral density; influencing factors; osteoporosis.
. 2026 Feb 19:14:1758835.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1758835. eCollection 2026.
Influence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection on bone health in the population over 55 years old in Beijing, China: a cross-sectional study
Qian Qiu[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Tong Wu[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 3 [/SUP], Yuyong Jiang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Zimeng Shang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Wanxin Shi[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Xiaohui Zhang[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Xu Han[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Zhiyun Yang[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Xieyuan Jiang[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Xiuying Liu[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 41799492
- PMCID: PMC12960145
- DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1758835
Background: Despite the global prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, relatively little is known regarding its association with osteoporosis in older adults. This study investigated the potential impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on bone health or osteoporosis risk in adults aged 55 years and older in Beijing, China, while also exploring additional factors that may influence this association.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Beijing Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China, between August and December 2024. Patients aged ≥ 55 years with SARS-CoV-2 infections were included. Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, diet, serum contents of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD), and other potential risk factors for osteoporosis were collected through structured questionnaires. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). To identify the variables associated with osteoporosis, logistic regression analysis was employed.
Results: Three hundred and eighty-eight patients were enrolled, comprising 272 individuals with a single SARS-CoV-2 infection and 116 with two or more infections. The results revealed that individuals who had reinfection revealed a considerably higher prevalence of osteoporosis (48.3% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.0001). This trend was consistent across different skeletal sites: 33.6% vs. 7.4% at the left hip, 37.9% vs. 5.5% at the right hip (p < 0.0001), and 30.2% vs. 12.9% at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) (p < 0.0001). SARS-CoV-2 reinfection remained substantially associated with osteoporosis after controlling for con-founding variables, with an OR of 3.08 (95% CI: 1.696-5.593).
Conclusion: In summary, the risk of osteoporosis among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection should be carefully monitored, and greater emphasis should be placed on early, individualized prevention and treatment strategies.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; aging; bone mineral density; influencing factors; osteoporosis.