Community Deprivation Index and Discharge Destination After Elective Hip Replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how the deprivation level of the community in which one lives influences discharge disposition and the odds of 90-day readmission after elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on 84,931 patients who underwent elective THA in the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council database from 2012 to 2016. We used adjusted binary logistic regression models to test the association between community Area Deprivation Index (ADI) level and patient discharge destination as well as 90-day readmission. We included an interaction term for community ADI level and patient race in our models to assess the simultaneous effect of both on the outcomes. RESULTS: After adjusting for patient- and facility-level characteristics, we found that patients from high ADI level communities (most disadvantaged), compared to patients from low ADI level communities (least disadvantaged), were more likely to be discharged to an institution as opposed to home for postoperative care and rehabilitation (age <65 years adjusted odds ratio [ORadj ] 1.47; age ≥65 years ORadj 1.31; both P < 0.001). The interaction effect of patient race and ADI level on discharge destination was statistically significant in those patients age ≥65 years, but not in patients age <65 years. The association with ADI level on 90-day readmission was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In this statewide sample of patients who underwent elective THA, the level of deprivation of the community in which patients reside influences their discharge disposition, but not their odds of 90-day readmission to an acute-care facility.

The Effect of Payer Type on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Total Joint Arthroplasty Is Modulated by Baseline Patient Characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are gaining an important role in the assessment of quality of care. There are currently limited data on the effect of payer type on PROs in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This study compared both disease-specific and general health PROs among patients stratified according to their payer type. METHODS: Our institutional joint registry was queried for patients who underwent primary, elective, and unilateral hip and knee arthroplasty. Patients were divided according to their insurance type at the time of surgery into 3 groups: Medicaid, Medicare, or commercial. The outcomes assessed were the net changes in PROs as well as absolute scores at 6 months and 1 year. Six of the most commonly used PROs were assessed: Short Form-12 physical and mental components, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation, University of Californian Los Angeles activity level rating, and Oxford Hip Score. Analysis of variance and covariance were used. RESULTS: We evaluated 756 procedures (273 Medicaid, 270 Medicare, and 213 commercial insurance). Medicaid patients had significantly lower mean baseline scores across all PROs compared to either Medicare or commercial insurance patients. Medicaid patients were also more likely to be smokers, live alone, have lower educational level, African-American, and have nonprimary osteoarthritis as the indication for TJA. At 1-year follow-up, the net mean outcome gains were comparable among the 3 payer types (P > .05), but Medicaid patients continued to score lower while Medicare and commercial insurance patients continued to score higher (P < .01). When adjusting for all baseline differences among Medicaid patients, the negative effects of payer type resolved except for Oxford Hip Score which remained lower in the Medicaid group (P = .006). CONCLUSION: When using PROs to assess the value of care, the preoperative to postoperative changes are a better indicator of surgical success than comparing absolute values, especially in Medicaid patients. While TJA imparts similar net improvements to patients of all payer types, Medicaid coverage is a predictor of lower absolute outcome scores at any given time as result of increased baseline health burden (eg, depression, tobacco smoking, and poor overall well-being). Arthroplasty surgeons should be aware of these factors when counseling patients and seek optimization when necessary. The findings should be taken into account by stakeholders when constructing value-based payment models. Further research is needed to better understand the barriers leading to higher prevalence of increased health disparities among Medicaid beneficiaries and how to effectively address them.

Disparities in Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes: Census Tract Data Show Interactions Between Race and Community Deprivation.

INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic factors such as poverty may mediate racial disparities in health outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and confound analyses of differences between blacks and whites. METHODS: Using a large institutional THA registry, we built models incorporating individual and census tract data and analyzed interactions between race and percent of population with Medicaid coverage and its association with 2-year patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS: Black patients undergoing THA had worse baseline and 2-year pain and function scores compared with whites. We observed strong positive correlations between census tract Medicaid coverage and percent living below poverty (rho = 0.69; P < 0.001). Disparities in 2-year Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and function were magnified in communities with high census tract Medicaid coverage. For blacks in these communities, 2-year WOMAC function scores were predicted to be -5.54 points lower (80.42 versus 85.96) compared with blacks in less deprived communities, a difference not observed among whites. CONCLUSION: WOMAC pain and function 2 years after THA are similar among blacks and whites in communities with little deprivation (low percent census tract Medicaid coverage). WOMAC function at 2 years is worse among blacks in areas of higher deprivation but is not seen among whites. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II - Cohort Study.

Racial disparities in knee and hip total joint arthroplasty: an 18-year analysis of national Medicare data.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether racial disparities in usage and outcomes of total knee and total hip arthroplasty (TKA and THA) have declined over time. METHODS: We used data from the US Medicare Program (MedPAR data) for years 1991-2008 to identify four separate cohorts of patients (primary TKA, revision TKA, primary THA, revision THA). For each cohort, we calculated standardised arthroplasty usage rates for Caucasian and African-American Medicare beneficiaries for each calendar year, and examined changes in disparities over time. We examined unadjusted and adjusted outcomes (30-day readmission rate, discharge disposition etc.) for Caucasians and African-Americans, and whether disparities decreased over time. RESULTS: In 1991, the use of primary TKA was 36% lower for African-Americans compared with Caucasians (20.6 per 10,000 for African-Americans; 32.1 per 10,000 for Caucasians; p<0.0001); in 2008, usage of primary TKA was 40% lower for African-Americans (41.5 per 10,000 for African-Americans; 68.8 per 10,000 for Caucasians; p<0.0001) with similar findings for the other cohorts. Black-White disparities in 30-day hospital readmission increased significantly from 1991-2008 among three patient cohorts. For example in 1991 30-day readmission rates for African-Americans receiving primary TKA were 6% higher than for Caucasians; by 2008 readmission rates for African-Americans were 24% higher (p<0.05 for change in disparity). Similarly, black-white disparities in the proportion of patients discharged to home after surgery increased across the study period for all cohorts (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In an 18-year analysis of US Medicare data, we found little evidence of declines in racial disparities for joint arthroplasty usage or outcomes.

Associations of educational attainment, occupation, and community poverty with hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine cross-sectional baseline data from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project for the association between individual and community socioeconomic status (SES) measures with hip osteoarthritis (OA) outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed data on 3,087 individuals (68% white and 32% African American). Educational attainment and occupation were used as individual measures of SES. Census block group household poverty rate was used as a measure of community SES. Hip OA outcomes included radiographic OA and symptomatic OA in one or both hip joints. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association of each hip OA outcome with each SES variable separately, and then with all SES measures simultaneously. Associations between hip OA outcomes and SES variables were evaluated for effect modification by race and sex. RESULTS: Living in a community of high household poverty rate showed independent associations with hip radiographic OA in one or both hips (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.18-1.92) and bilateral (both hips) radiographic OA (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.32-2.66). Similar independent associations were found between low educational attainment among those with symptomatic OA in one or both hips (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.09-1.91) or bilateral symptomatic OA (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.08-3.39), after adjusting for all SES measures simultaneously. No significant associations were observed between occupation and hip OA outcomes, nor did race or sex modify the associations. CONCLUSION: Our data provide evidence that hip OA outcomes are associated with both education and community SES measures, associations that remained after adjustment for covariates and all SES measures.

Variation in rates of hip and knee joint replacement in Australia based on socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status.

BACKGROUND: Our understanding of the incidence of joint replacement across different subgroups of the Australian population is limited. This study investigated whether rates of hip and knee joint replacement vary according to socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status. METHODS: Data from the National Hospital Morbidity Database were obtained. All separations for primary hip or knee joint replacement with the principal diagnosis of arthritis were identified. Age-standardized procedure rates were compared based on socio-economic status, geographical locality, birthplace and indigenous status. RESULTS: Compared with age- and gender-matched individuals, rates of joint replacement overall were significantly lower in people living in the most disadvantaged (P < 0.05) and remote areas (P < 0.001), people born outside Australia (P < 0.05) and indigenous people (P < 0.001). However, there were some exceptions. Knee replacement rates were higher in the most disadvantaged areas than in the least disadvantaged areas (P < 0.01), and both hip and knee replacement rates were higher in regional areas than in major cities (P < 0.05). Males and females born in New Zealand and females born in the United Kingdom, Ireland and parts of Europe had a greater rate of hip replacement, and females from North Africa and the Middle East had a greater rate of knee replacement, than Australia-born people (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is significant variation in the rates of primary total hip and knee replacement in Australia. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this simply reflects patterns of disease and disease risk factors, or is because of inequalities in health care, unmet need, and/or surgical or patient-related factors.

Fear in arthroplasty surgery: the role of race.

UNLABELLED: Understanding the difference in perceived functional outcomes between whites and blacks and the influence of anxiety and pain on functional outcomes after joint arthroplasty may help surgeons develop ways to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities in outcome. We determined the difference in functional outcomes between whites and blacks and assessed the influence of fear and anxiety in total joint arthroplasty outcomes in 331 patients undergoing primary hip and knee arthroplasty. WOMAC, Quality of Well Being, SF-36, and Pain and Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS) were administered pre- and postoperatively (average 5-year followup). For the SF-36 General Health Score, blacks reported having worse perceived general health than whites before surgery. Regardless of time, blacks scored worse than whites for all measures except for the SF-36 physical function and general health scores. Blacks had a greater fear score (ie, that associated with the procedure) and total PASS score. For both races, there was a low association between the fear dimensions and dependent measures before and after surgery. Black patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty had lower scores than whites in most outcome measures regardless of time of assessment. We found higher fear levels before joint arthroplasty in blacks compared with whites. After surgery, blacks had much higher associations of the fear subscale, cognitive subscale, and total PASS score with the WOMAC physical function, pain, and total scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective controlled cohort study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Clinical appropriateness and not race predicted referral for joint arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the reasons behind racial disparities in the use of total joint arthroplasty (TJA), we sought to examine the predictors of time to referral to orthopedic surgery for consideration of joint replacement. METHODS: In this prospective, longitudinal study of 676 primary care clinic patients with at least a moderately severe degree of hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA), we examined the effects of race, health beliefs (i.e., perceived benefits and risks) of TJA, and clinical appropriateness of TJA on referral to orthopedic surgery. RESULTS: The sample included 255 African Americans (38%) and 421 whites (62%); 523 patients had knee OA (78%) and 153 had hip OA (22%). Subjects were 60% male, with a mean +/- SD age of 64 +/- 9 years, a mean +/- SD body mass index of 33.6 +/- 8 kg/m(2), and a mean +/- SD summary Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score of 56 +/- 14, suggesting moderately severe OA. At baseline, African Americans perceived fewer benefits and greater risk from TJA than whites. There were no significant racial group differences in the proportions of cases deemed clinically appropriate for TJA. After controlling for potential confounders, clinical appropriateness (hazard ratio [HR] 1.95, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.15-3.32; P = 0.01) predicted referral to orthopedic surgery. Neither race (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.94-2.05; P = 0.1) nor health beliefs (HR 1.0, P = 0.5) were associated with referral status. CONCLUSION: In this sample of primary care clinic patients, African Americans and whites were equally likely to be referred by their physicians to orthopedic surgery. Clinical appropriateness predicted future referral to orthopedic surgery, and not race or TJA-specific health beliefs.

Patient perceptions of access to care and referrals to specialists: a comparison of African-American and white older patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: There is a marked racial difference in the use of knee and hip replacement for osteoarthritis (OA). The reasons for this disparity remain unclear. We examined how African-American and white patients with symptomatic OA of the knee and/or hip compare with respect to their perceptions of care for knee and hip OA. METHODS: Survey of 596 male patients with OA of the knee and/or hip in primary care clinics at Cleveland VAMC. RESULTS: African-American (44%) and white (56%) study participants were comparable with respect to age and clinical factors. African Americans were more likely to have VA insurance only [OR=1.93 (1.13-3.28)]. African Americans were less likely to report difficulty getting medical care when needed [OR=0.54 (0.34-0.88)]. Differences in the two groups regarding satisfaction with and confidence in the primary physician were not significant. The proportions of participants who received specialty care referrals were similar. CONCLUSION: African-American patients reported having only VA insurance more often than white patients. Other aspects of perceived system and provider-based factors were similar between groups.

Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors influence pain or physical function in Asian patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors influencing pain or physical function in Asian patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: 126 consecutive Chinese (110), Malays (two), Indians (10), or other races (four) with knee or hip OA and a median age of 60.5 years were seen at a tertiary referral centre; 103 were women. Subjects underwent a structured assessment including the Short Form-36 (SF-36) bodily pain (BP) and physical functioning (PF) scales and assessing demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and other characteristics. Factors influencing BP or PF were identified using separate multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: The index joint (that is, the most symptomatic joint) was the knee in 118 (94%) and the hip in eight (6%) patients. The median duration of pain and limitation of normal activities were three years and one year, respectively. The mean BP and PF scores of 57.7 and 56.2 points for the patients were substantially lower than the expected scores of 79.3 and 80.8 points for the general Singapore population. Multiple regression analysis showed that less pain was associated with a younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, more years of education, working, and Chinese ethnicity. Better physical function was associated with more years of education, less learned helplessness, less bodily pain, and less severe OA. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors, some of which are potentially modifiable, influence pain or physical function in Asian patients with OA in Singapore.