Predictive value of different glycemic control markers in total hip or knee arthroplasty: A prospective study

The optimal glycemic control marker before total hip or knee arthroplasty remains inconclusive. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is widely used, while fructosamine may be valuable for predicting periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Fructosamine levels can be affected by serum albumin levels; albumin-corrected fructosamine (AlbF) can be calculated to overcome this issue. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of different markers for complications after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty.

This prospective cohort study included 304 patients (mean age: 65 years [range, 16-85), mean follow-up: 32 months (range, 12-49)] who underwent primary total hip or knee arthroplasty between 2018 and 2021. Of them, 156 patients had diabetes. Mean HbA1c was 6.5% (range, 4.8%-13%), fructosamine 244 µmol/L (range, 98-566 µmol/L), and AlbF 632 (range, 238-2308). Patients who did and did not have diabetes were matched 1 : 1. Hemoglobin A1c 7% and fructosamine 292 µmol/L were used as cutoff. Complications were documented. Glycemic markers were compared using logistic regression analyses, with a special focus on PJI.

In the logistic regression analyses, HbA1c was strongly associated with total complications [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 3.61; 95% CI, 1.65-7.91, P = .001], while fructosamine was associated with PJI (adjusted OR: 13.68; 95% CI, 1.39-134.89, P = .025). Albumin-corrected fructosamine did not show any additional benefits.

Preoperative assessment before total hip or knee arthroplasty must not focus on a single marker; HbA1c is a good predictor of total complications, while fructosamine is a better predictor of PJI. To the best of our knowledge, in its first orthopedic study, AlbF did not show any advantages.

Level II, Prognostic Study.