Hypoalbuminemia Increases Mortality after Two-Stage Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

Rush University Medical Center Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chicago, IL, USA

10.22038/abjs.2022.65148.3123

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypoalbuminemia on failure rates and mortality
after a two-stage revision for PJI.
Methods: 199 Patients (130 knees and 69 hips) with a mean age of 64.7 ± 10.7 years who underwent a two-stage
exchange were retrospectively reviewed at a mean of 51.2 ± 39.7 months. Failure of treatment was defined as any
revision within the follow-up period, failure to undergo reimplantation, or death within one year of initiating treatment.
Results: There were 71 failures (35.7%), including 38 septic failures (19.1%). We found no differences between
successful revisions and failures regarding hypoalbuminemia (43% vs. 42% prior to stage 1, P=1 and 32% vs. 29%
prior to stage 2, P=0.856). There were also no differences in hypoalbuminemia rates between septic failures and
the rest of the cohort (42% vs. 43% prior to stage 1, P=1.0 and 34% vs. 30% prior to stage 2, P=0.674).
Hypoalbuminemia prior to stage 2 was a significant predictor of mortality based on multivariate analysis (odds ratio
5.40, CI 1.19-24.54, P=0.029). Hypoalbuminemia was independently associated with a greater length of stay by 2.2
days after stage 1 (P=0.002) and by 1.0 days after the second stage reimplantation (P=0.004).
Conclusion: Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is a significant predictor of mortality and increased length of stay
following two-stage revision but is not a predictor of failure of PJI treatment. Further study is required to understand
if hypoalbuminemia is a modifiable risk factor or a marker for poor outcomes.
Level of evidence: III

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Volume 11, Issue 3
March 2023
Pages 173-179
  • Receive Date: 29 April 2022
  • Revise Date: 13 September 2022
  • Accept Date: 15 September 2022
  • First Publish Date: 25 February 2023