What is the correlation between patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) scores and patient satisfaction following elective reverse total shoulder replacement?

Defining patient satisfaction after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) has grown rapidly. As indications for the procedure expand, the proportion of patients who have satisfactory outcomes after rTSA has not been well defined. This systematic literature review explores overall patient satisfaction after rTSA and defines patient satisfaction based on indication for surgery.

METHODS

A literature search was performed for studies describing patient satisfaction after rTSA in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Papers were included if they investigated patient satisfaction after rTSA at a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Data were collected on patient demographics, including age, gender, and body mass index. Follow-up duration, indication for surgery, and patient reported outcome measures relating to patient satisfaction were also recorded.

RESULTS

There were a total of 5234 patients and 5288 shoulders from the 45 included studies. The overall study population was 61.2% female and the average age was 71.1 years (range 23-99). Satisfaction results were recorded at final follow-up, with average follow-up of 49.1 months (range 24-228). Overall patient satisfaction ranged from 77.7% to 87.8%, depending on patient satisfaction patient reported outcome measures. When stratified by diagnosis, patients with a diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) rated better satisfaction on all metrics when compared to patients with a diagnosis of cuff tear arthropathy or massive rotator cuff tear.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrated that patients who undergo rTSA for either GHOA, cuff tear arthropathy, or massive rotator cuff tear are generally satisfied with their procedure, with the rate of satisfaction highest in GHOA. Focusing on patient satisfaction may provide the best overall assessment of health care quality in a very understandable and tangible form. Overall satisfaction rate is valuable information for patient education and can be utilized as part of effective surgical counseling.

Thresholds for diminishing returns in postoperative range of motion after total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Satisfaction following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), which is commonly reported using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), is partially dependent upon restoring shoulder range of motion (ROM). We hypothesized there exists a minimum amount of ROM necessary to perform functional tasks queried in PROM questionnaires, beyond which further ROM may provide no further improvement in PROMs.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a multicenter international shoulder arthroplasty database was performed between 2004 and 2020 for patients undergoing anatomic or reverse TSA (aTSA, rTSA), with minimum 2-year follow-up. Our primary outcome was to determine the threshold in postoperative active ROM (abduction, forward elevation [FE], external rotation [ER], and internal rotation [IR] score), whereby additional improvement was not associated with additional improvement in PROMs (Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index). For comparison, we also evaluated the Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart (SAS) score, which is not subject to the ceiling effect.

RESULTS

We included 4459 TSAs (1802 aTSAs, 2657 rTSAs) with minimum 2-year follow-up (mean, 56 ± 32 months). The threshold in postoperative ROM that were associated with no further improvement were active abduction, 107-113° for PROMs vs. 163° for the SAS score; active FE, 149-162° for PROMs vs. 176° for the SAS score; active ER, 50-52° for PROMs vs. 72° for the SAS score; IR score, 4-5 points for all PROMs vs. 6 points for the SAS score. Out of 3508 TSAs with complete postoperative ROM data, 8.5% achieved or exceeded all ROM thresholds (14.5% aTSAs, 4.8% rTSAs).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that postoperative ROM exceeding 113° of abduction, 162° of FE, 52° of ER, and IR to L1 is associated with minimal additional improvement in PROMs. While individual patient needs vary, the thresholds may provide helpful targets for patients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation.

Outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty in patients under 55 years old: Results from the New Zealand joint registry

Background

The appropriate age at which to perform reverse shoulder arthroplasty is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of reverse shoulder arthroplasty between younger and older patients.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty between January 2000 and December 2019 were identified from New Zealand Joint Registry records. Patients were stratified into two cohorts according to age at the time of surgery: < 55 years and ≥ 55 years. These two groups were then compared with regard to baseline characteristics, indications for surgery, revision rates, and patient-reported outcomes using the Oxford Shoulder Score and American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES).

Results

A total of 5518 primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty cases were identified, with 75 patients < 55 years at the time of surgery (range: 34-54 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.36 years (range: 0.11-13.37 years) in the younger cohort and 3.10 years (range: 0.01-16.22 years) in the older patient cohort. Indications for surgery differed significantly between the two groups, with younger patients having higher rates of inflammatory arthritis (p < 0.001), posttraumatic arthritis (p < 0.001), and avascular necrosis (p = 0.049). The younger cohort had an inferior 6-month postoperative Oxford Shoulder Score compared to the older cohort (mean: 28.5 [younger cohort] vs. 35.7 [older cohort]; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in revision rate between the younger and older patient cohorts during the study period (1.56 [<55 years] vs. 0.74 [≥55 years] revisions per 100 component-years; p = 0.332).

Conclusion

Our early results suggest that younger patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty demonstrate high implant retention rates, comparable to older patients. Longer-term patient-reported outcomes in younger patients are required to guide appropriate patient selection for reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective case-control study.

The relationship of perceived empathy with levels of pain intensity and incapability among patients visiting a musculoskeletal specialist

BACKGROUND

People that have more intense symptoms and greater incapability might have less rapport with the clinicians that care for them.

OBJECTIVE

This study tested the hypothesis that perceived clinician empathy is related to pain intensity and magnitude of incapability among people seeing a musculoskeletal specialist.

PATIENT INVOLVEMENT

After a consult with a musculoskeletal specialist, 211 adult patients completed a survey recording demographics, and measures of pain intensity, incapability, and perceived clinician empathy.

RESULTS

Higher perceived empathy was associated with being in a committed relationship and, to a modest degree (r = -0.16) lower pain intensity in bivariate and multivariable analyses.

DISCUSSION

People experiencing greater pain may be slightly less likely to perceive the clinician as empathetic.

PRACTICAL VALUE

Study of the relationship between the patient's experience of care and patient and clinician personal factors can inform efforts to improve patient experience. Advances may depend on experience measures with more normal distributions and less ceiling effect.

Does improved external rotation following reverse shoulder arthroplasty impact clinical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff pathology and external rotation less than 0°?

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate whether improved external rotation (ER) in patients with preoperative ER <0° impacts their clinical outcomes following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for rotator cuff (RC) pathology and (2) describe the differences in preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes in this patient population. Our hypothesis was that clinical outcomes would not be affected by improvement in ER using a lateralized glenosphere design.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 55 patients with preoperative ER <0° who underwent primary RSA for RC pathology with lateralized glenosphere. Pre- and postoperative physician-reported ER was blindly measured using a videographic review of patients externally rotating their arm at the side. Patients were evaluated using 5 different patient-reported outcome score thresholds, measured at 12 months postoperatively: (1) minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form (ASES) scores (ie, ≥20-point increase); (2) MCID for Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores (≥2.4-point increase); (3) visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score >0; (4) mean ASES score (≥75); and (5) mean SST score (≥6.8), each of which was used to stratify the patients into 2 groups-greater than or equal to vs. less than the threshold. This resulted in 5 different evaluations comparing the 2 groups for any difference in postoperative ER or preoperative factors, including Hamada and Goutallier scores.

RESULTS

Regardless of the measured outcome, there was no difference in either postoperative physician- or patient-reported ER between patients who achieved scores higher or lower than the thresholds. Both Hamada and Goutallier score distributions were not different between groups across all the evaluated outcomes. Patients who achieved the MCID for ASES had worse preoperative VAS pain (7 vs. 4, P = .011) and SST (1 vs. 3, P = .020) scores. Across all outcome thresholds, except MCID for SST, pain reduction (ΔVAS) was significantly more pronounced in patients exceeding the thresholds. Improved forward flexion rather than ER was observed in those who achieved the ASES (160° vs. 80°, P = .020) and SST MCIDs (150° vs. 90°, P = .037). Finally, patients who exceeded the thresholds experienced higher satisfaction rates.

CONCLUSION

Improvement in ER does not appear to impact patient-reported outcome measures, including ASES and SST in patients with preoperative ER <0° undergoing RSA with a lateralized glenosphere. Patients with more severe pain and worse function at baseline experience less postoperative pain and clinically significant improvement in their reported outcomes.

Patient-reported dissatisfaction following second side in staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Around one third of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) will eventually have the contralateral knee replaced. Overall patient satisfaction after staged bilateral total knee arthroplasty procedures performed on different days is reportedly similar to unilateral TKA. Nevertheless, in our anecdotal experience patients often report less satisfying outcomes following the second side. A cursory review of available literature tended to confirm that observation. We sought therefore to consolidate all of the available data on this issue to further investigate this phenomenon.

AIM

To consolidate available published data revealing satisfaction scores among patients following staged bilateral TKA, and to evaluate the phenomenon of less satisfying results following TKA2.

METHODS

A systematic review of available literature reporting on satisfaction with TKA1 and TKA2 after staged bilateral knee arthroplasty was undertaken using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase. From 427 records, five full-length articles met criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. The data were then extracted and assessed on the basis of the Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/).

RESULTS

A total of 1889 patients with an average age of 68 (range: 38–92) underwent staged bilateral TKA with outcomes reported at 1 year following each TKA with a mean 21.9 mo between surgeries (range: 2 d to 14.5 years). Overall satisfaction with both knees was 83.70% (1581) and dissatisfaction with both knees was 2.75% (52). In the remaining 13.56% (256) who were dissatisfied with one side, 61.0% were dissatisfied with TKA2, and 39.0% were dissatisfied with TKA1. Patient-reported outcome scores for TKA2 were frequently lower than TKA1 even in patients reporting overall satisfaction with both knees.

CONCLUSION

At 1-year follow-up, there was a 50% greater risk of dissatisfaction with TKA2 among the 13.56% of patients reporting dissatisfaction in one knee after staged bilateral TKA. Whether the interval between procedures or long-term follow-up changes these results requires further investigation.

Are Oxford Hip Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Useful Predictors of Clinical Meaningful Improvement and Satisfaction After Total Hip Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND

Up to 15% of patients express dissatisfaction after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Preoperative patient-report outcome measures (PROMs) scores can potentially mitigate this by predicting postoperative satisfaction, identifying patients that will benefit most from surgery. The aim of this study was to (1) calculate the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds for Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) mental component summary (MCS) and physical component summary (PCS) scores and (2) identify the threshold values of these PROMs that could be used to predict patient satisfaction and expectation fulfilment.

METHODS

Prospectively collected registry data of 1334 primary THA patients who returned for 2-year follow-up from 1998 to 2016 were reviewed. All patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 years using the OHS, WOMAC, and SF-36 PCS/MCS scores. The MCID for each PROMs was calculated, and the proportion of patients that attained MCID was recorded. The relationship between satisfaction, expectation fulfilment, and MCID attainment was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation. Optimal threshold scores for each PROM that predicted MCID attainment and satisfaction/expectation fulfilment at 2 years were calculated using receiver operating curve analysis.

RESULTS

The calculated MCID for OHS, WOMAC, SF-36 PCS, and SF-36 MCS were 5.2, 10.8, 6.7, and 6.2, respectively. A threshold value of 24.5 for the preoperative OHS was predictive of achieving WOMAC MCID at 2 years after THA (area under the curve 0.80, P < .001). 93.1% of patients were satisfied, and 95.5% had expectations fulfilled at 2 years. None of the PROMs were able to predict satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

OHS and WOMAC scores can be used to determine clinical meaningful improvement but are limited in their ability to predict patient satisfaction after THA.

Third-Generation Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus

BACKGROUND

Multiple operative techniques have been developed for hallux valgus with varying success. The most recent developments in minimally invasive surgery have evolved into the third-generation minimally invasive chevron Akin (MICA) osteotomy. Good results have been shown from originator centers, but this is one of the first series from a nonoriginator center, and the first to use a validated patient-reported outcome measure.

METHODS

Forty consecutive patients undergoing third-generation MICA for hallux valgus were included. Primary outcome measures included Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Coughlin satisfaction rates at 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included radiographic parameters, complications, and recurrence rates.

RESULTS

At 12 months, the MOXFQ score improved from 58 to 10 and the AOFAS score improved from 48 to 93, with 70% of patients reporting excellent outcomes and 30% good ones. Two cases started as mild, 29 cases as moderate, and 9 cases as severe as defined by radiographic criteria. Hallux valgus angles improved from 32 degrees to 12 degrees, and intermetatarsal angles improved from 13 degrees to 7 degrees. There were 4 cases of Akin screw removal for soft tissue irritation. There were no other complications, including recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The third-generation MICA technique was a safe and effective approach to treating hallux valgus. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes and comparative data with other commonly performed operative techniques.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.