Abstract
Introduction
Despite the demonstrated success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and higher rates of arthritis and disability from arthritis among minorities, these populations utilize TKA at lower rates than non-Hispanic white patients in the United States. In addition, women present for TKA with more advanced disease prior to TKA than their male counterparts. In order to explore potential reasons for this, we examined the relationship between race, gender, and pre-operative expectations on postoperative outcomes among patients undergoing TKA.
Methods
134 patients scheduled for primary unilateral TKA secondary to moderate to severe osteoarthritis were enrolled in this two-institution prospective study. All patient demographics were collected and recorded in an electronic data registry. In addition, patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), HSS Patient Expectation Questionnaire, Social Support Survey, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), Geriatric Depression Scale and European Quality (EQ) of Life 5-Dimensions with EQ VAS were prospectively collected at 4 time points (baseline, 4–8 weeks, 9–14 months, 20–26 months postoperative). Statistical analysis was then conducted among patients of different gender and ethnic background to assess for the effect of these demographic variables on patient expectations and outcomes.
Results
Female sex was associated with worse preoperative KOOS scores in symptoms (p=0.021), pain (p=0.019), and activities of daily living (p=0.020). African American race was associated with worse preoperative KOOS scores in pain (p=0.009), activities of daily living (ADLs) (p=0.004), and quality of life (QOL) (p=0.003). However, despite worse pre-operative scores, no statistically significant differences were noted in the aforementioned categories between the groups at any point post-operatively.
Conclusion
Our results indicate that female and African American patients undergoing TKA presented with worse pre-operative KOOS scores compared with white male patients. However, outcomes were good among all groups postoperatively, and neither race nor gender was associated with compromised post-operative outcomes in relation to pain, ADLs or QOL. These findings may be valuable in counseling patients and surgeons regarding the value of increase utilization of TKA in these patient populations. Further study is necessary to better understand the lower utilization or later presentation observed in these populations.
