A study in Journal of Arthroplasty found underweight patients are at risk for various complications following total joint arthroplasty.
The researchers identified 3,550 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty and 1,315 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. These patients were divided into two groups by BMI: underweight and normal. The researchers compared the correlation between BMI, postoperative outcomes, length of stay and hospital charge.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Underweight patients undergoing THA were at higher risk of developing postoperative anemia and of sustaining cardiac complications.
2. Underweight patients undergoing TKA were at higher risk of developing postoperative anemia and of developing hematoma/seroma.
3. For underweight THA patients, length of stay and hospital charge were higher than for THA patients in the normal BMI range.
4. For underweight TKA patients, hospital charge was higher than for TKA patients in the normal BMI range; underweight TKA patients were also more likely to be discharged to skilled nursing facilities
5. Underweight patients had a decreased risk of developing postoperative infection.
The researchers noted that their findings allow orthopedic surgeons to "better predict patient outcomes and improve treatment pathways designed toward helping various patient demographics."