A Missed Opportunity: The Impact of Hepatitis C Treatment Prior to Total Knee Arthroplasty on Postoperative Complications

Racial Disparities in Treatment and Outcomes of Patients With Hepatitis C Undergoing Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

African Americans have the highest prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Racial disparities in outcome are observed after elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study sought to identify if disparities in treatments and outcomes exist between Black and White patients who have HCV prior to elective THA and TKA.

METHODS

Patient demographics, comorbidities, HCV characteristics, perioperative variables, in-hospital outcomes, and postoperative complications at 1-year follow-up were collected and compared between the 2 races. Patients who have preoperative positive viral load (PVL) and undetectable viral load were identified. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare categorical variables, while 2-tailed Student's Kruskal-Wallis t-tests were used for continuous variables. A P value of less than .05 was statistically significant.

RESULTS

The liver function parameters, including aspartate aminotransferase and model for end-stage liver disease scores, were all higher preoperatively in Black patients undergoing THA (P = .01; P < .001) and TKA (P = .03; P = .003), respectively. Black patients were more likely to undergo THA (65.8% versus 35.6%; P = .002) and TKA (72.1% versus 37.3%; 0.009) without receiving prior treatment for HCV. Consequently, Black patients had higher rates of preoperative PVL compared to White patients in both THA (66% versus 38%, P = .006) and TKA (72% versus 37%, P < .001) groups. Black patients had a longer length of stay for both THA (3.7 versus 3.3; P = .008) and TKA (4.1 versus 3.0; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The HCV treatment prior to THA and TKA with undetectable viral load has been shown to be a key factor in mitigating postoperative complications, including joint infection. We noted that Black patients were more likely to undergo joint arthroplasty who did not receive treatment and with a PVL. While PVL rates decreased over time for both races, a significant gap persists for Black patients.

Curtailing infection risks in hepatitis C patients: the effect of antiviral treatment in revision shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Revision shoulder arthroplasty (RevSA) is a complex procedure that can result in various postoperative complications. However, the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on postoperative complications after RevSA remains unclear because of limited and inconsistent evidence. This study aims (1) to investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with HCV undergoing RevSA and (2) to evaluate the impact of HCV treatment on complication rates at different time points after the revision procedure, specifically at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years.

METHODS

We queried a national, all-payer database to investigate recent trends in the use of RevSA among HCV patients to assess postoperative complication rates, including venous thromboembolism (VTE), wound complication, transfusion, and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Statistical analyses involved propensity score matching to create balanced cohorts and logistic regression to determine the relative risk of postoperative complications. Data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 24.0 for Windows). The study included patients who underwent partial or total RevSA procedures between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2020. Patients were identified based on medical claims that included procedural codes for RevSA and associated diagnosis codes for PJI or insertion/removal of an antibiotic spacer. A Bonferroni correction was used because many tests were performed and statistical significance was set at P = .0125.

RESULTS

The HCV cohort demonstrated higher PJI rates at 1-year (5.5% vs. 3.9%, P = .006) and 2-year follow-ups (6.7% vs. 4.6%, P = .006). However, no significant differences emerged in VTE and wound complication rates between the HCV and non-HCV cohorts. Comparing untreated and treated HCV patients, the former showed significantly higher PJI rates at 2 years (P = .010), whereas the treated group had significantly lower odds ratios for PJI. When comparing treated HCV patients with the non-HCV cohort, minimal differences were found in postoperative outcomes, indicating no significant difference in the risk of complications between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study observed an association between HCV patients who received antiviral treatment prior to RevSA and a reduced incidence of PJI compared to untreated HCV patients. When comparing this group to the non-HCV controls, there was no significant difference in the incidence of PJI, suggesting a potential association between antiviral treatment and the observed risk patterns in HCV patients. Proper management of HCV-positive patients during RevSA is crucial for improving outcomes and reducing complications.

Child-Pugh Class B or C Liver Disease Increases the Risk of Early Mortality in Patients With Hepatitis C Undergoing Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty Regardless of Treatment Status

BACKGROUND

Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) undergoing primary elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) are at increased risk of postoperative complications. Patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, specifically Child-Pugh Class B and C, who are undergoing general surgery have high 2-year mortality risks, approaching 60% to 80%. However, the role of Child-Pugh and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease classifications of liver status in predicting survivorship among patients with HCV undergoing elective arthroplasty has not been elucidated.

QUESTION/PURPOSE

What factors are independently associated with early mortality (< 2 years) in patients with HCV undergoing arthroplasty?

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study at three tertiary academic medical centers and identified patients with HCV undergoing primary elective TJA between January 2005 and December 2019. Patients who underwent revision TJA and simultaneous primary TJA were excluded. A total of 226 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. A further 25% (57) were excluded because they were lost to follow-up before the minimum study requirement of 2 years of follow-up or had incomplete datasets. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, the final cohort consisted of 75% (169 of 226) of the initial patient population eligible for analysis. The mean follow-up duration was 53 ± 29 months. We compared confounding variables for mortality between patients with early mortality (16 patients) and surviving patients (153 patients), including comorbidities, HCV and liver characteristics, HCV treatment, and postoperative medical and surgical complications. Patients with early postoperative mortality were more likely to have an associated advanced Child-Pugh classification and comorbidities including peripheral vascular disease, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, both groups had similar 90-day and 1-year medical complication risks including myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and reoperations for periprosthetic joint infection and mechanical failure. A multivariable regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors associated with early mortality, incorporating all significant variables with p < 0.05 present in the univariate analysis.

RESULTS

After accounting for significant variables in the univariate analysis such as peripheral vascular disease, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and liver fibrosis staging, Child-Pugh Class B or C classification was found to be the sole factor independently associated with increased odds of early (within 2 years) mortality in patients with HCV undergoing elective TJA (adjusted odds ratio 29 [95% confidence interval 5 to 174]; p < 0.001). The risk of early mortality in patients with Child-Pugh Class B or C was 64% (seven of 11) compared with 6% (nine of 158) in patients with Child-Pugh Class A (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with HCV and a Child-Pugh Class B or C at the time of elective TJA had substantially increased odds of death, regardless of liver function, cirrhosis, age, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease level, HCV treatment, and viral load status. This is similar to the risk of early mortality observed in patients with chronic liver disease undergoing abdominal and cardiac surgery. Surgeons should avoid these major elective procedures in patients with Child-Pugh Class B or C whenever possible. For patients who feel their arthritic symptoms and pain are unbearable, surgeons need to be clear that the risk of death is considerably elevated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Hepatitis C Is Associated With Higher Short-Term Complication Rates After Initial Aseptic and Septic Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear if hepatitis C virus (HCV) negatively impacts outcomes of revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA). The purpose of this study is to trend recent rTHA utilization in patients who have HCV and compare postoperative complication rates versus a matched cohort.

METHODS

All patients who underwent rTHA were retrospectively identified in a national database. Patients who had HCV (n = 1,746) were matched 1:3 with a matching group (n = 5,238) for age, gender, and several comorbidities. Cochran-Armitage tests were used to analyze trends in the annual proportion of rTHA performed in patients who had HCV from 2010 to 2019. Rates of 90-day medical and prosthesis-related complications within 2 years postoperatively were compared with multivariable logistic regressions.

RESULTS

The annual proportion of rTHA performed in patients who had HCV significantly increased from 2010 to 2019 (P < .001). Patients who had HCV exhibited significantly higher rates of acute kidney injuries (7.6% versus 4.4%; odds ratio [OR] 1.50), transfusions (20.6% versus 14.6%; OR 1.38), and re-revisions for prosthetic joint infection (10.9% versus 6.5%; OR 1.73). In subgroup analyses, rates of re-revision for prosthetic joint infection after initial aseptic rTHA (7.1% versus 3.8%; OR 1.82) and periprosthetic fracture after initial septic rTHA (4.5% versus 1.6%; OR 2.77) were significantly higher in the HCV cohort.

CONCLUSION

Similar to primary THA, patients who have HCV exhibit significantly increased complication rates after rTHA. With growing utilization in recent years, these data suggest that this population will comprise an increasingly larger proportion of rTHA procedures performed in the coming years.

The Impact of Epilepsy on Complication Rates After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

It is unclear how epilepsy may affect total joint arthroplasty outcomes. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of epilepsy on prosthesis-related complications following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database. Patients who have epilepsy underwent a primary THA (n = 6,981) and TKA (n = 4,987) and were matched 1:4 (THA, n = 27,924; TKA, n = 19,948). Rates of low-energy falls and prosthesis-related complications within 2 years postoperatively were compared for patients who did and did not have epilepsy with multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

After primary TKA, patients who have epilepsy exhibited significantly higher rates of aseptic revision (4.3% versus 3.5%, odds ratio [OR] 1.21, P = .017) and revision for prosthetic joint infection (1.8% versus 1.3%, OR 1.29, P = .041). THA patients who have epilepsy exhibited significantly higher rates of prosthetic dislocation (3.2% versus 1.9%, OR 1.54, P < .001), periprosthetic fracture (2.2% versus 0.8%, OR 2.39, P < .001), and aseptic loosening (1.7% versus 1.1%, OR 1.40, P = .002). Rates of low-energy falls within 2 years after TKA (14.1% versus 6.4%, OR 2.19, P < .001) and THA (33.6% versus 7.5%, OR 5.95, P < .001) were also significantly higher for patients who have epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Epilepsy was associated with significantly higher rates of falls (P < .001) and prosthesis-related complications after primary THA (P < .05) and TKA (P < .05). Precautions should be implemented in this population during intraoperative and perioperative decision-making to reduce complication risk.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

The Impact of Hepatitis C on Complication Rates After Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched Cohort Study

Background

It is unclear if hepatitis C (HCV) negatively impacts outcomes of revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). The purpose of this study was to compare complication rates after rTKA for patients with HCV vs matched controls.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the PearlDiver database (PearlDiver Inc., Colorado Springs, CO). Patients with HCV who underwent rTKA (n = 1448) were matched 1:4 with controls (n = 5792) on age, sex, and several comorbidities. Rates of medical complications within 90 days and prothesis-related complications within 2 years postoperatively were compared with logistic regression for (1) patients with vs without HCV and (2) HCV patients who underwent aseptic vs septic rTKA.

Results

Relative to controls, patients with HCV exhibited significantly higher rates of medical complications (27.7% vs 20.9%; odds ratio [OR] 1.47), periprosthetic fractures (2.3% vs 1.1%; OR 2.20), all-cause repeat rTKA (11.7% vs 9.4%; OR 1.29), and repeat rTKA for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) (6.7% vs 3.6%; OR 1.92). Within the HCV cohort, HCV patients with initial septic rTKA exhibited significantly higher rates of medical complications (41.7% vs 22.7%; OR 2.39), all-cause subsequent rTKA (15.9% vs 10.2%; OR 1.67), and repeat rTKA for PJI (15.9% vs 3.4%; OR 5.39). Conversely, HCV patients with initial aseptic rTKA exhibited significantly higher rates of aseptic loosening (2.6% vs 7.4%; OR 0.33).

Conclusions

Patients with HCV exhibited significantly higher rates of medical and prosthesis-related complications after rTKA than controls. Among patients with HCV, initial septic rTKA was associated with significantly higher rates of medical complications, repeat rTKA, and PJI.

Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C Is Associated With a Reduced Risk of Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

BACKGROUND

Recently, preoperative antiviral therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) have become available for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients. The objective of this meta-analysis is to investigate the impact of anti-HCV treatment on the incidence of postoperative complications after primary TJAs.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies from inception to March 5, 2022. The pooled odds ratios with 95% CI of the risk of postoperative complications were calculated using the random effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted on the basis of surgery type, antiviral regimes, and duration of follow-up.

RESULTS

Eight retrospective cohort studies fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, involving 9,703 subjects. Overall, antiviral therapy for HCV was associated with a reduced risk of all-type complications and surgical complications. Moreover, we found that HCV-infected patients without treatment had substantially higher rates of periprosthetic joint infection at any surgery type and follow-up time point. There was a tendency for favoring a lower pooled revision/reoperation rate and mechanical complication rate in treated patients compared with untreated patients, but the differences failed to reach statistical significance. When limiting analysis to patients receiving preoperative direct acting antiviral-based therapy, untreated patients still had a higher surgical complication rate and joint infection rate.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrated that antiviral therapy for HCV appears to be associated with a reduced risk of surgical complications in TJA patients, particularly periprosthetic joint infection. Thus, direct-acting antiviral therapy could be recommended for patients diagnosed with HCV.

Does Pre-Arthroplasty Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C Reduce Complication Rates After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty? A Matched Cohort Study

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with increased complications of risk after arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of HCV and a pre-arthroplasty antiviral treatment on complications following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

Methods

A retrospective matched cohort study was conducted using an administrative claims database. Patients who underwent TSA were identified with Current Procedural Terminology -23472 and International Classification of Diseases procedural codes. A total of 1244 HCV patients were matched 1:3 with 3732 noninfected controls across age, sex, diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, and obesity. The HCV patients with treatment before TSA were identified by claims containing antiviral drug codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare rates of 90-day medical complications and prosthesis-related complications within 2 years postoperatively for (1) HCV patients vs. controls, (2) antiviral-treated HCV patients vs. controls, and (3) antiviral-treated HCV patients vs. untreated HCV patients.

Results

Patients with HCV exhibited significantly higher rates of blood transfusion (OR 2.12), acute kidney injuries (OR 1.86), inpatient readmission (OR 2.06), revision TSA (OR 1.48), dislocation (OR 1.92), mechanical complications (OR 1.39), and prosthetic joint infection (OR 1.53) compared to controls. Antiviral-treated HCV patients exhibited a significantly lower rate of myocardial infarction (OR 0.27) and comparable rates of all other complications relative to controls (all P > .05). Compared to untreated HCV patients, antiviral-treated HCV patients exhibited significantly lower rates of 90-day medical complications (OR 0.57) and prosthetic joint infection (OR 0.36).

Conclusions

HCV is associated with significantly increased complication rates after TSA. Antiviral treatment before TSA may reduce the risk of postoperative complications.