Hypoalbuminemia Is a Better Predictor than Obesity of Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty: a Propensity Score-Adjusted Observational Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Obesity is an established risk factor for complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and is often associated with malnutrition.

Questions/purposes

1. What is the prevalence of hypoalbuminemia in obese patients undergoing TKA? 2. What is the independent morbidity risk of malnutrition relative to obesity?

Methods

TKA cases were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2013. Propensity scores for having preoperative albumin measurements were calculated using demographics, BMI, and modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Malnutrition was defined as hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL). Patients were classified by BMI as follows: non-obese (18.5-29.9), obese I (30-34.9), obese II (35-39.9), or obese III (≥40). Postoperative

SUBMITTER: Fu MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5264573 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature