Systematic lupus erythematosus is not a risk factor for poor outcomes after total hip or knee arthroplasty, according to Dr. Ummara H. Shah and her associates.
The researchers identified 54 lupus patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) and 45 who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), with avascular necrosis present in 32% of THA patients and in none of the TKA patients. Lupus patients with THA had worse preoperative pain and function subscores on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), compared with control patients with osteoarthritis (OA) who were matched for age, gender, and avascular necrosis.
However, after 2 years there was no difference in WOMAC pain or WOMAC function between THA patients with lupus or OA. Lupus patients with TKA were similar to those with OA in both preoperative pain and function and 2-year pain and function. The investigators also noted that THA and TKA lupus patients had more renal failure and hypertension, compared with OA controls.
In a multivariate linear regression, lupus was not predictive of either greater pain or poor function, the researchers reported. Read the full article at Lupus 2015 Jan. 16 (doi:10.1177/0961203314566635).