Prosthetic Joint Infection Risk After Total Hip Arthroplasty in the Medicare Population

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2009.04.027

The Journal of Arthroplasty

Volume 24, Issue 6, Supplement, September 2009, Pages 105-109

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2009.04.027 Get rights and content

Abstract

Periprosthetic joint infection is one of the most challenging complications of total joint arthroplasty. We evaluated the incidence of early-onset (less than 2 years) and late-onset (greater than 2 years) periprosthetic joint infection after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The Medicare 5% national sample data set (1997-2006) was used to longitudinally follow primary THA patients. Deep infections were identified with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 996.66. Kaplan-Meier survivorship curves were compiled with infection as the end point. Cox regression was used to evaluate patient and hospital characteristics. Eight hundred eighty-seven THA infections were identified from 39 929 THA patients. The incidence of infection was 1.63% within 2 years and 0.59% between 2 and 10 years. Comorbidities, sex, procedure duration, and socioeconomic status were found to be significant risk factors. This is the first study to establish the incidence and risk factors associated with early onset and delayed periprosthetic joint infection in the Medicare patient population.

Section snippets

Materials and Methods

Patients who underwent elective and non-elective primary THA were identified from the 1997 to 2006 Medicare 5% national sample administrative claims database. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 81.51 and Current Procedural Terminology, Fourth Edition, code 27130 were used to identify primary THA patients. An overall patient cohort (elective and non-elective) and an elective patient cohort were analyzed for this study. Primary patients who were

Results

A total of 39 929 elective and non-elective primary THA patients were identified between 1997 and 2006. Eight hundred eighty-seven patients (2.22%) from this cohort were diagnosed with infection during the study period. Most infections (73.3%) were diagnosed within the first 2 years postoperatively: the incidence of infection was 1.63% (n = 650) within 2 years and 0.59% (n = 237) between 2 and 10 years.

For the overall patient cohort, the presence of preexisting comorbidities significantly

Discussion

Periprosthetic joint infection continues to be a challenging complication after total joint arthroplasty, requiring significant medical resources to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage 1, 6, 19. The understanding of the timing of infection and its associated risk factors can help surgeons identify high-risk patients and develop strategies for patient management during follow-up. Although our findings show that most primary THA patients are diagnosed with infection within the first 2 years

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Delayed Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin Periprosthetic Joint Infection Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
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Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) can present challenges in diagnosis and treatment, particularly in the setting of atypical causative organisms such as fungi and mycobacteria. Herein, we present a case and provide a review of the diagnosis and treatment of an unusual PJI caused by bacillus Calmette-Guérin, administered during the treatment of bladder cancer 3 years prior to total knee arthroplasty and subsequent PJI. Although the patient’s history of bladder cancer was known, neither his Bacillus Calmette-Guérin treatment nor its potential for distant site spread that could lead to PJI were appreciated, leading to a prolonged diagnostic evaluation and treatment course.
Preparation and characterizations of antibacterial iodine-containing coatings on pure Ti
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Iodine-containing coatings were prepared on pure Ti surfaces via electrochemical deposition to enhance their antibacterial properties. The factors influencing iodine content were analyzed using an orthogonal experiment. The electrochemically deposited samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and their antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity were evaluated. The results showed that changing the deposition time is an effective way to control the iodine content. The iodine content, coating thickness, and adhesion of the samples increased with deposition time. Iodine in the coatings mainly exists in three forms, which are I₂, I₃⁻, and pentavalent iodine. For samples with iodine-containing coatings, the antibacterial ratios against E. coli and S. aureus were greater than 90% and increased with increasing iodine content. Although the samples with iodine-containing coatings showed some inhibition of the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells, the cell viabilities were all higher than 80%, suggesting that iodine-containing coatings are biosafe.
Obesity and Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: The Absolute versus Relative Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection at 15 Years
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To make an informed decision about total hip arthroplasty (THA), surgeons and patients need to understand the absolute and relative risks of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). We sought to evaluate the long-term risk of PJI following primary THA stratified by body mass index (BMI) and PJI-related risk factors.
We identified 21,550 primary THAs performed from 2000 to 2021 at a single institution. Patients were stratified as having 0, 1, or ≥ 2 PJI risk factors (diabetes, chronic kidney disease, nonprimary osteoarthritis, immunosuppression, or active smoking) and into BMI categories. The 15-year cumulative risk of PJI was evaluated by BMI and PJI risk factors.
For the entire cohort, the 15-year absolute risk of PJI was 2%. For patients who did not have PJI risk factors, the absolute risk of PJI at 15 years was 1% in normal weight, 2% in class III obesity, and 4% in class IV obesity. Patients who had class III and IV obesity had a 3-times and 9-times higher relative risk of PJI, respectively (P = .03, P < .001). Among patients who had ≥ 2 PJI risk factors, the absolute risk of PJI at 15 years was 2% in normal weight, 4% in class III obesity, and 18% in class IV obesity.
Healthy patients who had class III and IV obesity had a 3-times and 9-times increased risk of PJI at 15 years relative to normal weight patients. However, the absolute risk of PJI at 15 years was 2 and 4%, respectively. Given emerging data questioning whether BMI modification decreases PJI risk, surgeons and patients must consider both a 3-times to 9-times increased relative risk of PJI and a 2 to 4% absolute risk of PJI at 15 years for healthy patients who had a BMI ≥ 40.
IV.
The Impact of Preoperative Weight Loss Timing on Surgical Outcomes in Total Hip Arthroplasty
2024, Journal of Arthroplasty
Elevated body mass index (BMI) increases surgical complications post-total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, the effects of rapid weight loss pre-THA remain unclear. This study evaluated patients who had initial BMIs between 40 and 50, and then achieved a BMI under 35 at various intervals before their THA. Comparisons were made with consistent obese and nonobese groups to understand potential complications.
Using a national database, we categorized THA patients based on initial BMI and weight loss timing before the surgery. These were contrasted with those maintaining a steady BMI of 20 to 30 or 40 to 50. We monitored outcomes like periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), surgical site infections (SSI), and noninfectious revisions for 2 years postsurgery, incorporating demographic considerations. Statistical analyses utilized Chi-square tests for categorical outcomes and Student's t-tests for continuous variables.
Among patients who had a BMI of 45 to 50, weight loss 3 to 9 months presurgery increased PJI risks at 90 days (Odds Ratios [OR]: 2.15 to 5.22, P < .001). However, weight loss a year before the surgery lowered the PJI risk (OR: 0.14 to 0.27, P < .005). Constantly obese patients faced heightened PJI risks 1 to 2 years postsurgery (OR: 1.64 to 1.95, P < .015). Regarding SSI, risks increased with weight loss 3 to 9 months before surgery, but decreased when weight loss occurred a year earlier. In the BMI 40 to 45 group, weight loss 3 to 6 months presurgery showed higher PJI and SSI at 90 days (P < .001), with obese participants consistently at greater risk.
While high BMI poses THA risks, weight loss timing plays a crucial role in postoperative complications. Weight loss closer to the surgery (0 to 9 months) can heighten risks, but shedding weight a year in advance seems beneficial. Conversely, initiating weight loss approximately a year before surgery offers potential protective effects against postoperative issues. This highlights the importance of strategic weight management guidance for patients considering THA, ensuring optimal surgical results and reducing potential adverse outcomes.
The Impact of Obesity on Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes When Performed by High-Volume Surgeons—A Propensity Matched Analysis From a High-Volume Urban Center
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Previous data suggest that obesity does not impact surgical outcomes following total knee arthroplasty performed by high-volume (HV) surgeons. However, this effect has yet to be studied in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient obesity on THA outcomes when surgery is performed by HV surgeons.
A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent primary, elective THA between January 2012 and December 2022 with a HV surgeon (top 25% of surgeons by number of annual primary THA) was performed. Patients were stratified by their body mass index (BMI) into 3 cohorts: BMI ≥ 40 (morbidly obese [MO]), 30 ≤ BMI < 40 (obese), and BMI < 30 (nonobese); and 1:1:1 propensity matched based on baseline characteristics. A total of 13,223 patients were evaluated, of which 669 patients were included in the final matched analysis (223 patients per group). The average number of annual THAs performed for HV surgeons was 171 cases.
The MO patients had significantly longer surgical times (P < .001) and hospital lengths of stay (P < .001). Rates of 90-day readmissions (P = .211) and all-cause, septic, and aseptic revisions at the latest follow-up (P = .268, P = .903, and P = .168, respectively) were comparable between groups. In a subanalysis for non-HV surgeons, MO patients had a significantly greater risk of revision (P = .021) and trended toward significantly greater readmissions (P = .056).
Clinical outcomes and complication rates after THA performed by a HV surgeon are similar regardless of patient obesity status. Patients who have MO may experience improved outcomes and reduced procedural risks if they are referred to HV surgeons.
III.
The Utility of the Social Vulnerability Index as a Proxy for Social Disparities Following Total Knee Arthroplasty
2024, Journal of Arthroplasty
In 2021, alternative payment models accounted for 40% of traditional Medicare reimbursements. As such, we sought to examine health disparities through a standardized categorization of social disparity using the social vulnerability index (SVI). We examined (1) risk factors for SVI ≥ 0.50, (2) incidences of complications, and (3) risk factors for total complications between patients who have SVI < 0.50 and SVI ≥ 0.50 who had a total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Patients who underwent TKA between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 were identified in the state of Maryland. A total of 4,952 patients who had complete social determinants of health data were included. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts according to SVI: < 0.50 (n = 2,431) and ≥ 0.50 (n = 2,521) based on the national mean SVI of 0.50. The SVI identifies communities that may need support caused by external stresses on human health based on 4 themed scores: socioeconomic status, household composition and disability, minority status and language, and housing and transportation. The SVI theme of household composition and disability encompassed patients aged 65 years and more, patients aged 17 years and less, civilians who have a disability, single-parent households, and English language deficiencies. The higher the SVI, the more social vulnerability or resources are needed to thrive in a geographic area.
When controlling for risk factors and patient comorbidities, the theme of household composition and disability (odds ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 5.0, P = .03) was the only independent risk factor for total complications. Patients who had an SVI ≥0.50 were more likely to be women (65.8% versus 61.0%, P < .001), Black (34.4% versus 12.9%, P < .001), and have a median household income < $87,999 (21.3% versus 10.2%, P < .001) in comparison to the patients who had an SVI < 0.50, respectively.
The SVI theme of household composition and disability, encompassing patients aged 65 years and more, patients aged 17 years and less, civilians who have a disability, single-parent households, and English language deficiencies, were independent risk factors for total complications following TKA. Together, these findings offer opportunities for interventions with selected patients to address social disparities.

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Prosthetic Joint Infection Risk After Total Hip Arthroplasty in the Medicare Population

Abstract

Section snippets

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

J Bone Joint Surg Am

J Arthroplasty

J Clin Epidemiol

J Orthop Res

J Arthroplasty

J Arthroplasty

J Arthroplasty

The impact of infection after total hip arthroplasty on hospital and surgeon resource utilization

J Bone Joint Surg Am

The epidemiology of revision total hip arthroplasty in the United States

J Bone Joint Surg Am

Risk factors in total joint arthroplasty: comparison of infection rates in patients with different socioeconomic backgrounds

Orthopedics

Obesity is a major risk factor for prosthetic infection after primary hip arthroplasty

Clin Orthop Relat Res

Periprosthetic joint infection: the incidence, timing, and predisposing factors

Clin Orthop Relat Res

Differences in outcomes of obese women and men undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty

Arthritis Rheum

Operating time and survival of primary total hip replacements: an analysis of 31,745 primary cemented and uncemented total hip replacements from local hospitals reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register 1987-2001

Acta Orthop Scand

Efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated cement in total hip replacement

Acta Orthop