A Matched Control Analysis on the Effects of Alcohol Use Disorder After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Medicare Patients

The association of alcohol use disorder with revision rates and post-operative complications in total shoulder arthroplasty

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance use disorder in the United States. However, the current literature on AUD as a preoperative risk factor for Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) outcomes is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify the association of AUD with revision rates and 90-day postoperative complications in TSA.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using the PearlDiver database. Patients diagnosed with AUD were identified. Patients in remission or with underlying cirrhosis were excluded. Outcomes included 2-year revision, 90-day readmission, 90-day emergency, and 90-day post-operative medical complications. Analysis was performed with univariate chi-squared tests followed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 59,261 patients who underwent TSA for osteoarthritis were identified, with 1522 patients having a diagnosis of AUD. Multivariable logistic regression showed that patients with AUD were more likely to undergo 2-year all-cause revision (OR = 1.49, p  =  0.007), 2-year aseptic revision (OR = 1.47, p  =  0.014), 90-day hospital readmission (OR = 1.57, p  =  0.015), and 90-day transient mental disorder (OR = 2.13, p  =  0.026).

Conclusions

AUD is associated with increased rates of 2-year revision surgery, as well as 90-day readmission and 90-day transient mental disorder following primary TSA for osteoarthritis. These findings may assist orthopedic surgeons in counseling patients with AUD during the pre-operative course.

Outcomes of total hip and knee arthroplasty in special populations: a synopsis and critical appraisal of systematic reviews

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to present and critically appraise the best available evidence investigating associations between some pre-defined patient-related characteristics and perioperative complications or other outcomes in THA and TKA.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched (Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL) for systematic reviews assessing the following pre-defined patient-related characteristics as possible risk factors for worse peri-operative outcomes in THA and TKA: smoking, alcohol excess, rheumatoid arthritis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis C virus infection, mental health conditions, and solid organ transplantation. Our primary outcome was periprosthetic joint infection. Results were analysed separately for THA, TKA and THA/TKA (mixed data).

RESULTS

Based on at least two systematic reviews being in agreement, the following patient-related characteristics were associated with increased incidence of complications as follows: a) Smoking for all-cause revision in THA, for periprosthetic joint infection in TKA and THA/TKA; b) alcohol excess for periprosthetic joint infection in THA/TKA; c) human immunodeficiency virus for periprosthetic joint infection in THA/TKA; d) hepatitis C virus for overall complications, periprosthetic joint infection and all-cause revision in THA and THA/TKA, and for overall complications in TKA. Our study found conflicting evidence for a) smoking as a risk factor for periprosthetic joint infection and aseptic loosening in THA; b) human immunodeficiency virus as a risk factor for all-cause revision for THA/TKA; c) hepatitis C virus as a risk factor for periprosthetic joint infection and all-cause revision in TKA. No certainty of evidence was assigned to these results as this was not assessed by the authors of the majority of the included systematic reviews.

CONCLUSION

We found that smoking, excess alcohol consumption, RA, and infection with HIV and HCV were associated with a higher incidence of periprosthetic joint infection in one or both of THA and TKA or mixed THA/TKA data. All our results should be interpreted and communicated to patients with caution as the quality of the included systematic reviews was generally poor.

A national analysis of the effect alcohol use disorder has on short-term complications and readmissions following total shoulder arthroplasty

Background

Alcohol use disorder has been associated with broad health consequences that may interfere with healing after total shoulder arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of alcohol use disorder on readmissions and complications following total shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods

We used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Readmissions Database (NRD) from 2016 to 2018. Patients were included based on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) procedure codes for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). Patients with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) were identified using the ICD-10 diagnosis code F10.20. Demographics, complications, and 30-day and 90-day readmission were collected for all patients. A univariate logistic regression was performed to investigate AUD as a factor affecting readmission and complication rates. A multivariate logistic regression model was created to assess the impact of alcohol use disorder on complications and readmission while controlling for demographic factors.

Results

In total, 164,527 patients were included, and 503 (0.3%) patients had a prior diagnosis of AUD. Revision surgery was more common in patients with an alcohol use disorder (8.8% vs. 6.2%; p = 0.022). Postoperative infection (p = 0.026), dislocation (p = 0.025), liver complications (p < 0.01), and 90-day readmission (p < 0.01) were more common in patients with a diagnosed AUD. On multivariate analysis, patients with an AUD were found to be at increased odds for liver complications (OR: 46.8; 95% CI: [32.8, 66.8]; p < 0.01). Comparatively, mean age, length of stay, and over healthcare costs were also higher for patients with an AUD.

Conclusion

Patients with a diagnosis of AUD were more likely to suffer from shoulder dislocation, liver complications, and 90-day readmission, while also being younger and having longer hospital stays. Therefore, surgeons should take caution to anticipate and prevent complications and readmissions following total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with an AUD.

Movement if Life-Optimizing Patient Access to Total Joint Arthroplasty: Alcohol and Substance Abuse Disparities

Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and substance use disorders (SUDs) place patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty at notable risk for complications. AUD and SUD disproportionately affect vulnerable communities and often coexist. Following is a discussion of the presence of these disorders in vulnerable populations and approaches to screening for them to optimize care and reduce the risks of joint arthroplasty surgery. 25.1% of American adults report binge drinking in the past year, and 5.8% of American adults carry a diagnosis of AUD. Alcohol consumption and AUD disproportionately affect American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and heavy episodic drinking is highest in Latinx and American Indians. AUD is higher in those who are unemployed, have lower education level, and those who are single/divorced. Alcohol use in the preoperative period is associated with difficulty maintaining blood pressure during surgery, infections, wound disruptions, and increased length of stay. In addition, patients with AUD or unhealthy alcohol use have a greater comorbidity burden, including liver disease and dementia, that predisposes them to poor surgical outcomes. Optimization in these vulnerable populations include proper screening, cessation programs, psychosocial interventions, assessment of support systems, and pharmacologic interventions. 38% of adults battle a drug use disorder. Twenty-one million Americans have at least one addiction, but only 10% receive treatment. Rates of opioid use and opioid-related deaths have continued to rise. Recreational drug use is highest in American Indians. Marijuana use is highest in Black and Latinx lesbian, gay, and bisexual women. Overall, substance use is associated with depression and anxiety; discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, or sexual preference is also deeply interwoven with depression, anxiety, and substance use. Preoperative use of opioids is the number one predictor of prolonged chronic postoperative opioid use. Optimization in these vulnerable groups begins with appropriate screening, followed by psychosocial interventions, social work and substance abuse counseling, and pharmacologic therapies.

Substance Use Disorders Among Medicare Beneficiaries: Prevalence, Mental and Physical Comorbidities, and Treatment Barriers

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of treated and untreated substance use disorders among Medicare beneficiaries, the characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries with substance use disorders, and reasons for their unmet needs.

METHODS

This study used data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2015-2019. Substance use disorder was defined based on DSM-IV dependence or abuse criteria. Descriptive analyses were conducted in 2021, including testing for differences in unadjusted means.

RESULTS

Approximately 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries were estimated to have past-year substance use disorder (8% of Medicare beneficiaries aged <65 years and 2% aged ≥65 years). Overall, 77% had an alcohol use condition, 16% had a prescription drug use condition, and 10% had a marijuana use condition. Of those who had past-year substance use disorder, 11% received treatment for their condition. Common reasons for not receiving treatment were lack of motivation (41%), financial barriers (33%), concern about what others might think (24%), logistical barriers such as lack of transportation (21%), and uncertainty about treatment efficacy (13%). Medicare beneficiaries with substance use disorders were more than twice as likely to have past-year serious psychological distress as those without substance use disorders (44% vs 21%, p<0.001 for those aged <65 years; 14% vs 4%, p<0.001 for those aged ≥65 years). Percentages of past-year suicidal ideation were also much higher among Medicare beneficiaries with substance use disorders than without (24% vs 6%, p<0.001 for those aged <65 years; 7% vs 2%, p=0.006 for those aged ≥65 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Few Medicare beneficiaries who need substance use disorder treatment receive it. Reducing Medicare coverage gaps and stigma may help meet this need.

The Association of Alcohol Use Disorder with Perioperative Complications following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Purpose

Alcohol use disorder is a leading mental health disorder in the United States. Few studies evaluating the association of alcohol use disorder following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been reported. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with alcohol use disorder undergoing primary THA have higher rates of: 1) in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS); 2) complications (medical/implant-related); and 3) costs.

Materials and Methods

Using a nationwide claims database from January 1st, 2005 to March 31st, 2014, patients with alcohol use disorder undergoing primary THA were identified and matched to a comparison group according to age, sex, and various comorbidities, resulting in 230,467 patients who were included in the study (n=38,416) and a matched-cohort (n=192,051). Outcomes of interest included comparison of LOS, 90-day medical and 2-year implant-related complications, and costs. A P-value less than 0.002 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Patients with alcohol use disorder had longer in-hospital LOS (4 days vs 3 days; P<0.0001) as well as higher frequency and odds ratio (OR) of 90-day medical (45.94% vs 12.25%; OR, 2.89; P<0.0001) and 2-year implant-related complications (17.71% vs 8.46%; OR, 1.97; P<0.0001). Patients in the study group incurred higher 90-day costs of care ($17,492.63 vs $14,921.88; P<0.0001).

Conclusion

With the growing prevalence of alcohol use disorder in the United States, the current investigation can be utilized to evaluate the need for interventions prior to THA which can potentially minimize the rates of morbidity and mortality within this population.