Restarting elective orthopaedic surgery as COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are reduced : have patient perceptions towards surgery changed?

Perception of Patients on the Waiting List for Total Hip Arthroplasty on the Resumption of Elective Surgeries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective  To analyze the profile and perception of patients on the waiting list for total hip arthroplasty (THA) about performing elective surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods  From July to November 2021, patients on the THA waiting list were interviewed during outpatient consultations. To compare the groups regarding categorical variables, the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was applied, and for quantitative variables the Mann-Whitney test was applied. The results were calculated using the Statistica program version 7. Results  39 patients answered the questionnaire. The mean age was 58.95 years, with 53.85% male. Approximately 60% expressed concern about contracting or transmitting COVID-19 to their family members after hospitalization for THA. 58.9% of patients felt hampered by the delay in scheduling elective surgeries during the pandemic. 23% lost or had a family member who lost their job during the pandemic, with a statistical difference for the group under 60 years old (p = 0.04). Conclusion  Most patients were concerned about becoming infected and exposing family members to COVID-19 after surgery and noted damage due to suspensions and delay in scheduling elective surgeries. The economic impact of the pandemic was revealed by the rate of 23% of respondents who lost or had a family member who lost their job during the pandemic, being higher in patients under 60 years of age (p = 0.04).

No time to waste; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty surgeries in the Netherlands and Denmark

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate the estimated change in primary and revision arthroplasty rate in the Netherlands and Denmark for hips, knees, and shoulders during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (COVID-period). Additional points of focus included the comparison of patient characteristics and hospital type (2019 vs COVID-period), and the estimated loss of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and impact on waiting lists.

METHODS

All hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasties (2014 to 2020) from the Dutch Arthroplasty Register, and hip and knee arthroplasties from the Danish Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Registries, were included. The expected number of arthroplasties per month in 2020 was estimated using Poisson regression, taking into account changes in age and sex distribution of the general Dutch/Danish population over time, calculating observed/expected (O/E) ratios. Country-specific proportions of patient characteristics and hospital type were calculated per indication category (osteoarthritis/other elective/acute). Waiting list outcomes including QALYs were estimated by modelling virtual waiting lists including 0%, 5% and 10% extra capacity.

RESULTS

During COVID-period, fewer arthroplasties were performed than expected (Netherlands: 20%; Denmark: 5%), with the lowest O/E in April. In the Netherlands, more acute indications were prioritized, resulting in more American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III to IV patients receiving surgery. In both countries, no other patient prioritization was present. Relatively more arthroplasties were performed in private hospitals. There were no clinically relevant differences in revision arthroplasties between pre-COVID and COVID-period. Estimated total health loss depending on extra capacity ranged from: 19,800 to 29,400 QALYs (Netherlands): 1,700 to 2,400 QALYs (Denmark). With no extra capacity it will take > 30 years to deplete the waiting lists.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic had an enormous negative effect on arthroplasty rates, but more in the Netherlands than Denmark. In the Netherlands, hip and shoulder patients with acute indications were prioritized. Private hospitals filled in part of the capacity gap. QALY loss due to postponed arthroplasty surgeries is considerable.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(12):977-990.