Abstract
Background
Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a dreaded complication of arthroplasty. PJI are more common in the elderly and are associated with a substantial increase in 5-year mortality risk. PJI risk may correlate with increasing body mass index (BMI). However, the effect of BMI on PJI risk in the elderly has not been evaluated, to our knowledge. We sought to evaluate this relationship in a cohort of geriatric arthroplasty patients at an orthopedic specialty hospital.
Methods
A retrospective cohort of hip and knee arthroplasty patients (age >75) from 2009–2014 was identified through administrative hospital data using ICD-9 codes. Patients with a BMI <14 or >60 kg/m2, height <142 or >200 cm, and weight <36 or >226 kg were excluded. The presence of infection was confirmed via chart review; all PJIs met MSIS criteria. Obesity was defined as having a BMI >30. Univariate analyses were done using χ 2 tests and adjusted models were assessed using logistic regression.
Results
13,755 geriatric arthroplasty patients (6,408 total hip arthroplasties [THA] and 7,347 total hip arthroplasties [TKA]) were assessed. Mean age and BMI were 82 (±5.4) and 28.1 (±5.3), respectively. In an unadjusted model, obesity was associated with infection in THA (P = 0.02), but not TKA (P = 0.31). This association remained after adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes. Obesity was associated with an increased risk of infection in THA [OR=1.89 (95% CI 1.12–3.21); P = 0.02]. However, as with the unadjusted model, this relationship was not found in TKA (P = 0.50).
Conclusion
Obesity increases THR PJI risk in the elderly. However, no such association was found for TKA. Future studies are needed to quantify the compounded risk of obesity in the geriatric arthroplasty patient.
Disclosures
All authors: No reported disclosures.
Risk of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection in elective total hip and knee arthroplasty following eradication therapy
