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Published on: January 24, 2018
Evaluating comorbidities in total hip and knee arthroplasty: available instruments
Kristian Bjorgul1, Wendy M Novicoff, Khaled J Saleh
1Orthopaedic Department, Ostfold Hospital Trust, 1603, Fredrikstad, Norway. krisbjorgul@gmail.com
Summary
Millions undergo joint replacement surgery annually. Accurately assessing patient comorbidity using validated tools like the Charlson Index is crucial for predicting outcomes and improving care.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Total joint arthroplasty is a common procedure for joint pain, with increasing patient numbers.
- Comorbid diseases significantly impact total joint arthroplasty outcomes, necessitating thorough documentation.
- Accurate comorbidity assessment is vital for both individual patient evaluation and clinical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine methods for obtaining and assessing comorbidity information in patients undergoing joint replacement.
- To identify reliable and validated instruments for comorbidity assessment in this population.
Main Methods:
- Review of various instruments used for comorbidity assessment in joint replacement patients.
- Discussion of commonly used indices such as the Charlson Index, Index of Coexistent Disease, Functional Comorbidity Index, Charnley classification, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical function score (ASA).
Main Results:
- Multiple validated instruments exist for comorbidity assessment.
- Specific indices like Charlson Index and ASA score are frequently employed in orthopedic studies.
Conclusions:
- A well-documented comorbidity index, including mental health aspects, should be used.
- Objective preoperative assessment of patient status requires appropriate comorbidity instruments.