News What effect do concomitant diseases have on the outcome of prosthetic hip surgery?
One year after their hip operation, most patients are satisfied with the result, with many even declaring that they are very satisfied. Patients with concomitant diseases can still expect a similar improvement in terms of hip function. However, this group of patients has a somewhat increased risk of complications. This was the conclusion reached by our research team, which investigated the connection between comorbidities, the risk of complications and the patient’s perceptions of osteoarthritis-related hip surgery.
In this study, we asked more than 1,500 patients about their personal health and well-being, their hip function and their satisfaction with the care they had received, just before and one year after their hip operation. Information regarding direct complications occurring up to 30 days after the procedure was also included in the study. This information was taken from the documentation in our clinic information system.
How are concomitant diseases recorded and what influence do they have?
Concomitant diseases are recorded using various tools, one of which is a procedure from the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) that the Schulthess Klinik Anaesthesiology Department uses to gather information prior to surgery. There is also what is known as the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). This can be calculated based on either a pre-surgery patient questionnaire or on the patient’s diagnoses as recorded in the clinic information system.
This study examines concomitant diseases using the ASA procedure and calculated CCI based on data from the clinic’s system. It concludes that there is a link between concomitant diseases and a somewhat increased risk of complications within the first 30 days. However, the chances of improved hip function and a satisfactory result are only slightly lower in patients with comorbidities than in those with no concomitant diseases.
Added value for patients and doctors
Recording concomitant diseases and calculating the comorbidity index help doctors assess risk and success factors. This enables them to tell patients what they can realistically expect from their treatment during consultations. For the vast majority of patients for whom hip surgery is advisable, the expected result one year after the operation is very good. This also applies to patients with multiple concomitant diseases.
