Validity of patient-reported complications after total hip and knee arthroplasty

Evaluating the effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often relies on accurate patient reporting of postoperative complications. Despite this, there is little research regarding the accuracy of patient reports. We aimed to determine the accuracy of patient-reported significant complications after THA and TKA.

Patients were recruited prior to undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty at 19 high-volume hospitals. After surgery, follow-up of patients via telephone interviews at 35, 90 and 365 days recorded surgical outcomes including readmission, reoperation and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Patient-reported complications were verified via medical record audits and liaison with surgeons, general practitioners or other health professionals. Surgical and demographic information and patient-reported and verified complications were entered into a database. Patient-reported and verified complications were compared for readmission, reoperation and VTE.

The sample included 150 of 1811 patients who reported a total of 242 significant complications. Of the 242 patient-reported complications, 224 (92.6%) were correct (true positive). The type of complication had variable levels of accuracy in patient reports. Readmission to hospital was accurately reported by 90.2% (129/143) of patients. Reoperation (including any manipulations under anaesthesia, joint washouts, reductions of dislocated joints and revisions) was accurately reported by 98.7% (75/76) of patients. VTE was accurately reported by 86.7% (20/23) of patients.

A high level of accuracy in patient-reported experience of complications was demonstrated following THA and TKA. Patient-reported complications may be reliably used for post-operative surveillance of joint replacement surgery.