Periprosthetic knee infection in octogenarians: a single institution experience at midterm outcome

PURPOSE

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) in the elderly is among the clinically most challenging scenarios given multimorbidity combined with poor bone and soft tissue quality. Despite increasing prevalence, limited is known on PJI among this unique group of patients. As such, this study analyzed PJI characteristics, implant survivorship and non-surgical complications of octogenarians revised PJI for the knee.

METHODS

We identified 31 patients that were revised for PJIs of the knee between 2010 and 2019 using a single university-based registry. Mean age was 83 years (range 80-87), 48% were females, and mean BMI was 29 kg/m2. Mean age adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index was 7, and mean ASA score was 3. Major causative pathogens included Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%), and Streptococci (13%). Two-stage exchange was performed in 30 patients, permanent resection arthroplasty in one joint. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses were performed. Mean follow-up was 4 years.

RESULTS

The 2-year survivorship free of any recurrent PJI was 96%, and there was one PJI relapse noted at 6 months. Moreover, there were three additional revisions for aseptic loosening, and one further revision for fracture. As such, the 2-year survivorship free of any revision was 87%. In addition to the aforementioned revisions, there was one additional plate osteosynthesis for a Vancouver C fracture, resulting in a 79% survivorship free of any reoperation at 2 years. Mean perioperative complication score according to the Clavien-Dindo classification was 2 out of 5. A total of three patients died: one patient 40 days after resection arthroplasty, two others 4 months and 8 months after reimplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians revised for PJI of the knee are at low risk of recurrent infection and overall revision at 2 years. However, moderate rates of perioperative complications and mortality at short term must acknowledge before deciding upon procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic level IV.

Periprosthetic hip infection in octogenarians : a single institution experience of 33 cases

AIMS

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total hip arthroplasty in the elderly may occur but has been subject to limited investigation. This study analyzed infection characteristics, surgical outcomes, and perioperative complications of octogenarians undergoing treatment for PJI in a single university-based institution.

METHODS

We identified 33 patients who underwent treatment for PJIs of the hip between January 2010 and December 2019 using our institutional joint registry. Mean age was 82 years (80 to 90), with 19 females (57%) and a mean BMI of 26 kg/m² (17 to 41). Mean American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade was 3 (1 to 4) and mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6 (4 to 10). Leading pathogens included coagulase-negative Staphylococci (45%) and Enterococcus faecalis (9%). Two-stage exchange was performed in 30 joints and permanent resection arthroplasty in three. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses were performed. Mean follow-up was five years (3 to 7).

RESULTS

The two-year survivorship free of any recurrent PJI was 72% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56 to 89; 18 patients at risk). There were a total of nine recurrent PJIs at a mean of one year (16 days to eight years), one for the same pathogen as at index infection. One additional surgical site infection was noted at two weeks, resulting in a 69% (95% CI 52 to 86; 17 patients at risk) survivorship free of any infection at two years. There were two additional revisions for dislocations at one month each. As such, the two-year survivorship free of any revision was 61% (95% CI 42 to 80; 12 patients at risk). In addition to the aforementioned revisions, there was one additional skin grafting for a decubitus ulcer, resulting in a survivorship free of any reoperation of 54% (95% CI 35 to 73; ten patients at risk) at two years. Mean Clavien-Dindo score of perioperative complications was two out of five, with one case of perioperative death noted at six days.

CONCLUSION

Octogenarians undergoing surgery for PJI of the hip are at low risk of acute mortality, but are at moderate risk of other perioperative complications. One in two patients will undergo a reoperation within two years, with 70% attributable to recurrent infections.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(2):135-139.

Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in aged patients: the importance of formal infectious specialist consultation

Background

Infectious specialist consultations (ISC) provide ever more evidence for improved outcome in Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Most ISC are formal (bedside). However, the impact of ISC on clinical management and prognosis lacks evaluation in aged patients with SAB.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective analysis of methicillin-sensitive (MS) SAB. Patients were stratified according to age ≥ 60 years (sub-analyses for ≥ 75 years and females) and formal (bedside) ISC given within 7 days of SAB diagnosis. The impact on management and outcome of formal ISC was explored. Statistics were performed with univariate analysis, Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis, including propensity-score adjustment, and graphic Kaplan–Meier interpretation.

Results

Altogether 617 patients were identified and 520 (84%) had formal ISC. Presence of formal ISC resulted in equivalent clinical management regardless of age over or under 60 years: localization and eradication of infection foci (80 vs. 82% and 34 vs. 36%) and use of anti-staphylococcal antibiotics (65 vs. 61%). Patients aged ≥ 60 years managed without formal ISC, compared to those with formal ISC, had less infection foci diagnosed (53 vs. 80%, p < 0.001). Lack of formal ISC in patients aged ≥ 60 years resulted in no infection eradication and absence of first-line anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Formal ISC, compared to absence of formal ISC, lowered mortality at 90 days in patients aged ≥ 60 years (24 vs. 47%, p = 0.004). In Cox proportional regression, before and after propensity-score adjustment, formal ISC was a strong positive prognostic parameter in patients aged ≥ 60 years (HR 0.45; p = 0.004 and HR 0.44; p = 0.021), in patients aged ≥ 75 years (HR 0.18; p = 0.001 and HR 0.11; p = 0.003) and in female patients aged ≥ 75 years (HR 0.13; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Formal ISC ensures proper active clinical management irrespective of age and improve prognosis in aged patients with MS-SAB.

Delay and inequality in treatment of the elderly with suspected acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to determine differences between elderly patients (≥80 years) and younger patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) regarding delay times before diagnostic tests and treatments.

METHODS

All patients with chest pain who were admitted to a hospital in the Gothenburg area were included consecutively over a 3-month period. They were divided into an elderly group (≥80 years) and a reference group (<80 years). Previous medical history, ECG findings, treatments, diagnostic tests, and delay times were registered.

RESULTS

Altogether, 2588 patients were included (478 elderly and 2110 reference). There were no significant differences in delay time to hospital ward admission, to first medical therapy with aspirin, or to investigation with coronary angiography (CA) between the two groups. The elderly patients had a significantly shorter median time from first medical contact to first ECG (12 vs. 14 min, p=0.002) but after adjustment for confounding factors, especially mode of transport, the opposite was found to be the case (p=0.002). Elderly hospitalized patients with ACS were less often investigated with CA (44% vs. 89%, p<0.0001) and received less medical treatment with P2Y12 antagonists and lipid lowering drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly individuals with chest pain could not be shown to have a delay to hospital admission compared to their younger counterparts. Nevertheless, higher age was associated with a longer time to first ECG. The elderly patients received less active therapy, and fear of age-related side effects might explain this difference.