The Role of Body Mass Index and Hypoalbuminemia on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Obesity and malnutrition are modifiable risk factors associated with increased postoperative complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Obesity is paradoxically associated with malnutrition. Previous studies have only evaluated the impact of body mass index (BMI) and hypoalbuminemia separately in relation to postoperative TKA outcomes and have attempted to compare the impact of these modifiable risk factors. Our study seeks to establish if increased BMI and decreased albumin levels have a compounding effect on postoperative outcomes. A retrospective analysis was conducted using the 2011-2014 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) dataset. This study reaffirmed that increased BMI and low albumin levels are associated with increased postoperative complications following TKA. Moreover, this study demonstrated that they do not have a compounding effect, but rather only help predict outcomes when analyzed individually. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 32(2) 114-117, 2023).

Limited number of spine surgeons among recipients of National Institutes of Health grants awarded for degenerative spine disease research.

OBJECTIVE: Surgeon scientists remain underrepresented among recipients of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants despite their unique ability to perform translational research. This study elucidates the portfolio of NIH grants awarded for degenerative spine diseases and the role of spine surgeons in this portfolio. METHODS: The most common diagnoses and surgical procedures for degenerative spine diseases were queried on the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results (RePORTER) database (2011-2021). Total NIH funding was extracted for 20 additional clinical areas and compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) were calculated. A retrospective cohort study of principal investigators (PIs) was conducted. NIH grants and funding totals were extracted and compared to those from other clinical areas. RESULTS: The total NIH research budget increased from $31 to $43 billion over the 10-year period (CAGR 3.4%). A total of 273 unique grants equaling $91 million (CAGR 0%) were awarded for degenerative spine diseases. Diabetes ($11.8 billion, CAGR 0%), obesity ($10.6 billion, CAGR 3%), and chronic pain ($5.6 billion, CAGR 7%) received the most funding. Most NIH funding for degenerative spine disease research was awarded through the R01 (66%) and R44 (8%) grant mechanisms. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases awarded the most NIH funding (64%). Departments of orthopedic surgery were awarded the most funding (32%). NIH funding supported clinical (28%), translational (37%), and basic science (35%) research. Disease mechanisms (58%), imaging modalities (20%), and emerging technologies (16%) received the most funding. Nineteen spine surgeons were identified as PIs (16%). There were no significant differences in NIH funding totals by PI demographic and academic characteristics (p > 0.05)-except for full professors, who had the most NIH funding (p = 0.007) and highest h-index values (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Few spine surgeons receive NIH grants for degenerative spine disease research. Future opportunities may exist for spine surgeons to collaborate in identified areas of clinical interest. Additional strategies are needed to increase NIH funding in spine surgery.