The use of biologic DMARDs identifies rheumatoid arthritis patients with more optimistic expectations of total knee arthroplasty

Meta-analysis of outcomes after total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in functional scores and the incidence of complications after TKA between RA and osteoarthritis. The PubMed, MedLine, The Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for all clinical studies up to 15 March 2023 comparing outcomes after total knee replacement in patients with RA and OA, with two review authors independently screening the literature. A total of 7,820,115 (knee-counted) cases were included in 34 studies. The results of meta-analysis showed that the scores of the RA group were lower than that of the osteoarthritis group in the postoperative knee joint score [MD=-2.72,95%CI(-5.06,-0.38),P=0.02] and the postoperative knee joint function score [MD=-11.47,95%CI(-16.55,-6.39),P<0.00001], and the difference was statistically significant. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (OR=0.84,95%CI(0.79,0.90),P<0.00001) and pulmonary embolism (OR=0.84,95%CI(0.78,0.91),P<0.00001) were significantly lower in RA than in osteoarthritis (P<0.00001). Compared with patients with osteoarthritis, patients with rheumatoid arthritis have lower knee society scores and functional scores after total knee arthroplasty, and a higher risk of prosthetic infection, loosening, and revision, but TKA can still effectively reduce pain in RA patients, Improve function and quality of life without increasing the risk of lower extremity venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Therefore, total knee replacement can be used as a treatment option for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have not responded to conservative treatment. Patients should fully understand the benefits and possible risks of total knee replacement and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Better clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis with perioperative glucocorticoids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs after an average of 11.4-year follow-up

Background

Previous evidence suggested that perioperative anti-rheumatic therapy for patients receiving total knee arthroplasty (TKA) helped improve postoperative rehabilitation for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet long-term effects and outcomes of perioperative drug therapy in TKA presently remain unclear. This study investigated whether perioperative treatment with glucocorticoids (GC) and disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can improve clinical outcomes for patients with RA undergoing TKA.

Methods

Patients between January 2000 and December 2011 were allocated into three groups based on perioperative drug therapy: A, control group (no GC or DMARDs), B, DMARD group (DMARDs given without GC), and C, co-therapy group (DMARDs plus GC). The patients were followed up for average 11.4 years. Baseline characteristics, pre- and post-operative Hospital for Special Surgery score (HSS), laboratory parameters, and complications were recorded by follow-up.

Results

Fifty-six RA patients undergoing 91 TKAs were included in this study. Patients who received perioperative GC with DMARDs (group C) achieved larger/increased range of motion (ROM) (C:122.17 vs A:108.31 vs B:108.07, p = 0.001, partial eta squared (η² p) = 0.18) at 1 year, better HSS score (C, 83.01 vs A, 79.23 vs B, 77.35, p = 0.049, η² p = 0.067), pain relief (C, 1.09 vs A, 1.17 vs B, 1.75, p = 0.02, η² p = 0.094), and ROM (C, 130.81 vs A, 112.82 vs B, 113.58, p = 0.001, η²p = 0.142) at latest follow-up comparing with the other treatment groups. No differences were noted in laboratory tests, blood loss, volume of transfusion, or complications among groups.

Conclusions

Compared with the other perioperative anti-rheumatic treatments, the combination of GC and DMARDs results in improved HSS score, better function, larger range of motion, and reduced postoperative pain for TKA patients with RA in the long term. Further investigation is warranted to look for a better understanding of more specific medication effects and strike a good balance between the benefits and complications for long-term pharmacotherapy.

Comparison of Expectations and Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Versus Osteoarthritis Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would have different preoperative expectations compared to osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and that postoperative satisfaction would correlate with specific postoperative pain and functional domains.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of RA patients matched based on age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score 1:2 with OA patients (76 RA, 152 OA) who underwent primary TKA. The Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Replacement Expectations Survey, Visual Analogue Scale for Pain (VAS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) were compared at baseline and at 2 years postoperatively. Minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) were calculated for KOOS and SF-12 subdomains.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, RA patients had lower expectations, worse VAS Pain, and worse KOOS Pain, Symptoms, and Activities of Daily Living (P < .05). However, at 2 years, RA patients had significantly larger improvements in VAS (P = .01) and these 3 KOOS subdomains (P < .05), achieving comparable absolute scores to OA patients. Overall, 86.1% of RA and 87.1% of OA patients were either somewhat or very satisfied with their TKA. Patient satisfaction correlated with VAS Pain and KOOS outcome scores in both groups. RA and OA patients had high rates of achieving MCID in SF-12 physical component scores and all 5 KOOS subdomains. A higher proportion of RA patients achieved MCID in KOOS Symptoms (98.4% vs 77.2%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

RA patients had lower baseline expectations compared to OA patients. However, RA patients had greater improvements in KOOS and SF-12 subdomains, and there was no difference in satisfaction compared to OA patients after TKA.