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Lookup NU author(s): Paul Baker, Karthikeyan Muthumayandi, Craig Gerrand, Karen Bettinson, Professor David Deehan
Background: The number of patients presenting for total knee replacement who are classified as obese is increasing. The functional benefits of performing TKR in these patients are unclear.Aim: To assess the influence pre-operative body mass index has upon knee specific function, general health status and patient satisfaction at 3 years following total knee replacement.Design: Retrospective comparative cohort study using prospectively collected data from an institutional arthroplasty register.Methods: 1367 patients were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Medical Outcomes Trust Short Form-36 (SF-36) scores supplemented by a validated measure of satisfaction pre-operatively and subsequently at 1,2 and 3 year post-operatively. Comparisons were made by dividing the cohort into 4 groups based on body mass index (BMI) 18.5-25.0 kg/m(2) (n = 253); >25.0-30.0 kg/m(2) (n = 559); >30.0235.0 kg/m(2) (n = 373); >35.0 kg/m(2) (n = 182).Results: Despite lower pre-operative, 1 and 3 year WOMAC and SF-36 scores patients with the highest BMIs >35.0 kg/m(2) experienced similar improvements to patients with a 'normal' BMI (18.5-25.0 kg/m(2)) at 1 year (Difference in WOMAC improvement = 0.0 (95% CI -5.2 to 5.2), p = 1.00) and this improvement was sustained at up to 3 years (Difference in 1 year to 3 year improvement = 2.2 (95% CI: -2.1 to 6.5), p = 1.00). This effect was also observed for the SF-36 mental and physical component scores. Despite equivalent functional improvements levels of satisfaction in the >35.0 kg/m(2) group were lower than for any other BMI group (>35.0 kg/m(2) = 84.6% satisfied versus 18.5-5.0 kg/m(2) = 93.3% satisfied, p = 0.01) as was the proportion of patients who stated they would have the operation again (>35.0 kg/m(2) = 69.6% versus 18.5-25.0 kg/m(2) = 82.2%, p = 0.01).Conclusion: Obese and morbidly obese patients gain as much functional benefit from total knee replacement as patients with lesser body mass indexes. This benefit is maintained for up to 3 years following surgery. However, these patients are less satisfied with their knee replacement and almost a third would not have the operation again.
Author(s): Baker P, Muthumayandi K, Gerrand C, Kleim B, Bettinson K, Deehan D
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: PLoS ONE
Year: 2013
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Online publication date: 19/03/2013
Acceptance date: 11/02/2013
Date deposited: 18/11/2014
ISSN (electronic): 1932-6203
Publisher: Public Library of Science
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0059079
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059079
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