Abstract
Introduction: THR and TKR have been shown to be successful treatments for moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. The requirement for total joint replacement will increase as the population ages. This study reports on the incidence of THR and TKR in an Australian population.
Method: Age and gender specific numbers of THR and TKR for the Australian population, 1994–1998 were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The same data for South Australia, 1988–1998 were obtained from the Department of Human Services Epidemiology Branch. The incidences were calculated and tested for changes over time.
Results: For the Australian population in 1994 there were 9,120 THR and by 1998 this had increased by 25.9% to 11,488 THR. There were 10,132 TKR in 1994 and by 1998 this had increased by 42.8% to 14,472 TKR. Stratified by age group changes in incidence rate with respect to time was statistically tested using regression analysis. For the eleven year data from South Australia there was a significant increase in the overall incidence of THR (p=0.012). There were significant increases in TKR incidence, although this increase was not uniform across all age groups (p< 0.001). The increase in TKR incidence was greater than that for THR. For both THR and TKR there were no significant differences on the basis of gender.
Conclusion: The incidence of THR is increasing in Australia and TKR incidence is increasing at a greater rate. Future projections must take into account these changing incidences as well as changes in population demographics.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor Jegan Krishnan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park 5047, Australia.
