Evidence-based and Patient-centered Indication for Knee Arthroplasty - Update of the Guideline. / Evidenzbasierte und patientenorientierte Indikationsstellung zur Knieendoprothese ­ Update der Leitlinie.

Knee arthroplasty is one of the most frequently performed operations in Germany, with approximately 170000 procedures per year. It is therefore essential that physicians should adhere to an appropriate, and patient-centered indication process. The updated guideline indication criteria for knee arthroplasty (EKIT-Knee) contain recommendations, which are based on current evidence and agreed upon by a broad consensus panel. For practical use, the checklist has also been updated.For this guideline update, a systematic literature research was conducted in order to analyse (inter-)national guidelines and systematic reviews focusing on osteoarthritis of the knee and knee arthroplasty, to answer clinically relevant questions on diagnostic, predictors of outcome, risk factors and contraindications.Knee arthroplasty should solely be performed in patients with radiologically proven moderate or severe osteoarthritis of the knee (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or 4), after previous non-surgical treatment for at least three months, in patients with high subjective burden with regard to knee-related complaints and after exclusion of possible contraindications (infection, comorbidities, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). Modifiable risk factors (such as smoking, diabetes mellitus, anaemia) should be addressed and optimised in advance. After meeting current guideline indications, a shared decision-making process between patients and surgeons is recommended, in order to maintain high quality surgical management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.The update of the S2k-guideline was expanded to include unicondylar knee arthroplasty, the preoperative optimisation of modifiable risk factors was added and the main indication criteria were specified.

Indication Criteria for Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Osteoarthritis - A Multi-perspective Consensus Study.

Background and Objectives Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant public health burden. Rates of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in OA vary substantially between geographical regions, most likely due to the lack of standardised indication criteria. We set out to define indication criteria for the German healthcare system for TKA in patients with knee OA, on the basis of best evidence and transparent multi-stakeholder consensus. Methods We undertook a complex mixed methods study, including an iterative process of systematic appraisal of existing evidence, Delphi consensus methods and stakeholder conferences. We established a consensus panel representing key German national societies of healthcare providers (orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, pain physicians, psychologists, physiotherapists), payers, and patient representatives. A priori defined consensus criteria were at least 70% agreement and less than 20% disagreement among the consensus panel. Agreement was sought for (1) core indication criteria defined as criteria that must be met to consider TKA in a normal patient with knee OA, (2) additional (not obligatory) indication criteria, (3) absolute contraindication criteria that generally prohibit TKA, and (4) risk factors that do not prohibit TKA, but usually do not lead to a recommendation for TKA. Results The following 5 core indication criteria were agreed within the panel: 1. intermittent (several times per week) or constant knee pain for at least 3 - 6 months; 2. radiological confirmation of structural knee damage (osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis); 3. inadequate response to conservative treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment for at least 3 - 6 months; 4. adverse impact of knee disease on patient's quality of life for at least 3 - 6 months; 5. patient-reported suffering/impairment due to knee disease. Additional indication criteria, contraindication criteria, and risk factors for adverse outcome were also agreed by a large majority within the multi-perspective stakeholder panel. Conclusion The defined indication criteria constitute a prerequisite for appropriate provision of TKA in patients with knee OA in Germany. In eligible patients, shared-decision making should eventually determine if TKA is performed or not. The next important steps are the implementation of the defined indication criteria, and the prospective investigation of predictors of success or failure of TKA in the context of routine care provision in Germany.

What Do Patients Expect From Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Delphi Consensus Study on Patient Treatment Goals.

BACKGROUND: Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is among the most frequent orthopedic procedures for end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA), systematically developed patient treatment goals for this elective intervention are missing. This constitutes a relevant barrier toward patient-centered healthcare. METHODS: A Delphi consensus study was conducted. Patients who were candidates for TKA were recruited through 11 outpatient orthopedic surgeons, 4 physiotherapists, and a patient organization in Germany. The initial questionnaire included 20 potential treatment goals derived from a systematic review on outcomes assessed in TKA trials. Patients were asked to rate these potential treatment goals as "main goal," "secondary goal," or "no goal." It was specified that a main goal must be met to consider TKA as successful. Patients could add further goals which were included in the next questionnaire together with a feedback on their own and the group's previous rating. Patients could then confirm or revise their responses to find group consensus, which was defined as ≥70% of participants rating a treatment goal as main goal. RESULTS: From initial 108 participants, 93 (86%) completed the study. Consensus was achieved that symptom reduction ("pain reduction," "improvement of stability"), functional improvements (improvement of "physical function," "range of motion," "walking distance," "walking stairs," "physical activity"), "improvement of quality of life," and prevention and safety concerns ("prevention from secondary impairments," "long implant survival") are the main treatment goals of patients who are candidates for TKA. CONCLUSION: Physicians should consider patient treatment goals in routine clinical decision making to meet the requirements of patient-centered healthcare. Researchers should consider those treatment goals in effectiveness studies on TKA.

Patient-reported outcomes and outcome predictors after primary total hip arthroplasty: results from the Dresden Hip Surgery Registry.

PURPOSE: To investigate response rates and predictors of treatment success in patients treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: A prospective register-based cohort study including all consecutive primary THAs was conducted -between 01/2006-12/2011. Primary outcomes were changes in WOMAC, according to OMERACT-OARSI, and minimal important difference (MID) in quality of life (EQ-5D) between baseline and 6-month follow-up. Socioeconomic and clinical predictors on treatment success were analysed by bivariate/multivariate regression. RESULTS: The study population included 2,553 patients (mean age 60.8 years; 52.8% female) and 2,391 (93.7%) at follow-up. 2,194 (93.8%) (OMERACT-OARSI) and 2,131 (83.5%) (EQ-5D MID) patients were classified as responders. Predictors for treatment success vs treatment failure were not identified. Obese patients and patients living alone showed less pronounced, and patients with higher educational level more pronounced, improvements in the WOMAC at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with THA leads to improvement in function, decline in pain and increase in quality of life in the vast majority of patients.

[Indication for total knee arthroplasty: evidence mapping]. / Indikation zur endoprothetischen Versorgung des Kniegelenks - ein Evidence Mapping.

BACKGROUND: Joint replacement surgery is one of the most often performed routine procedures for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in Germany. Currently, there is no consensus on indication criteria for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). OBJECTIVES: The topic indication for TKA was processed using six guiding questions concerning: 1) Common practice in determining the indication for TKA; 2) Inclusion criteria in clinical trials; 3) Treatment goals/goal criteria; 4) Predictors for goal attainment; 5) Economic aspects of determining a TKA indication; 6) Guidelines of the "Working Group of Scientific Medical Societies" (AWMF) in other areas. METHODS: The evidence mapping was conducted by systematically searching Medline via Ovid, the Cochrane Library, through hand searching national guidelines and selected journals as well as the AWMF guideline portal. RESULTS OF THE GUIDING QUESTIONS: 1) In Germany there is currently no consented guideline regarding indications for TKA surgery. 2) Indication criteria for clinical trials are: diagnosed osteoarthritis of the knee, limitations of age and BMI. The most common criteria for exclusion include rheumatoid/inflammatory arthritis, secondary diagnoses and allergies. 3) As yet, no international initiatives have been identified which, by involving all relevant stakeholders, have reached consensus regarding the indication criteria for TKA. 4) A variety of predictors were identified with effects on individual treatment goals acting in different directions. 5) Very few studies were identified concerning economic aspects of determining TKA indication. 6) Comparable AWMF guidelines are currently not available. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that specific systematic reviews are needed to explore the following questions: What are the treatment goals of a TKA intervention? For whom are these relevant? And how are they measured? Continuous analyses are recommended in the field of predictors for a positive TKA outcome.