Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Medical and Surgical Outcomes Following Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated increased complication risk after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who smoke cigarettes. It is unclear if smokeless tobacco use confers a similar impact. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate rates of postoperative complications after THA in smokeless tobacco users and people who smoke compared to matched controls, and (2) compare rates of postoperative complications in smokeless tobacco users versus patients who smoke. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a large national database. For patients who underwent primary THA, smokeless tobacco users (n = 950) and people who smoke (n = 21,585) were matched 1:4 with controls (n = 3,800 and 86,340, respectively), and smokeless tobacco users (n = 922) were matched 1:4 with people who smoke (n = 3,688). Joint complication rates within 2 years and medical complications within 90 days postoperatively were compared using multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: Within 90 days of primary THA, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of wound disruption, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, acute kidney injury (AKI), cardiac arrest, transfusion, readmission and longer length of stay compared to tobacco naïve controls. Within 2 years, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of prosthetic joint dislocations and overall joint-related complications compared to tobacco naïve controls. CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of medical- and joint-related complications following primary THA. Smokeless tobacco use may be under-diagnosed in patients undergoing elective THA. Surgeons may consider delineating between smoking and smokeless tobacco use during preoperative counseling.

How do the top 10 known offending drug classes associated with decreased bone mineral density affect total shoulder arthroplasty outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Many regularly prescribed classes of drugs are known to negatively impact bone health. However, it is unclear if perioperative use of these drugs impacts total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) outcomes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of perioperative use of 10 drug classes with known negative effects on bone health on prosthesis-related outcomes of TSA. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary TSA were retrospectively identified in the PearlDiver database. Within this population, patients prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), thiazolidinediones (TZDs), loop diuretics, glucocorticoids, aromatase inhibitors, calcineurin inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs), and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) within 6 months before or 6 months after primary TSA were identified (n = 23,748). These patients were propensity score matched 1:1 with controls (n = 23,748) on age, sex, and several comorbidities. After matching, patients with perioperative drug exposure were divided into 10 subgroups (ie, 1 for each drug class). Rates of prosthesis-related complications among patients taking each medication class vs. controls were compared with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Relative to controls, SGA exposure was associated with significantly higher rates of all-cause revision (odds ratio [OR] 1.68) and aseptic revision (OR 1.57). Loop diuretic exposure was associated with significantly higher rates of all-cause revision (OR 1.44) and aseptic revision (OR 1.43). Glucocorticoid exposure was associated with significantly higher rates of all-cause revision (OR 1.32) and aseptic revision (OR 1.30). SSRI exposure was associated with significantly higher rates of all-cause revision (OR 1.27) and aseptic revision (OR 1.24). Periprosthetic fracture, aseptic loosening, and septic revision was comparable for all drug cohorts compared to matched controls (all P > .05). Patients with perioperative exposure to PPIs, TZDs, FGAs, AEDs, aromatase inhibitors, and calcineurin inhibitors displayed comparable rates of all queried complications compared with controls (all P > .05). CONCLUSION: Compared with matched controls, patients with perioperative exposure to SGAs, loop diuretics, glucocorticoids and SSRIs exhibited significantly higher rates of all-cause and aseptic revisions following primary TSA. Several other medications that are risk factors for osteoporosis and fragility fractures did not demonstrate significant associations with any complications, including periprosthetic fracture. These results highlight the need for a thorough review of patients' medical history and current medication usage prior to preoperative risk counseling for patients seeking TSA.

Smokeless Tobacco Use is Associated With Worse Outcomes Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated increased complication risk after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients who smoke cigarettes, but it is unclear if smokeless tobacco use confers a similar impact. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate rates of postoperative complications after TKA in smokeless tobacco users and smokers as compared to matched controls, and (2) compare rates of postoperative complications in smokeless tobacco users versus smokers to determine if one is associated with significantly higher rates of postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database. For patients who underwent primary TKA, smokeless tobacco users (n = 1,535) and smokers (n = 28,953) were matched at a 1:4 with controls (n = 6,140 and 115,812, respectively), and smokeless tobacco users (n = 1,481) were matched at a 1:4 with smokers (n = 5,924). Rates of joint complications within 2 years and medical complications within 90 days postoperatively were compared using multivariable logistic regressions. RESULTS: After primary TKA, compared to controls, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly higher rates of aseptic loosening/mechanical failure within 2 years, longer lengths of stay, and higher rates of urinary tract infection, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, and acute kidney injury within 90 days. Compared to smokers, smokeless tobacco users demonstrated significantly lower rates of aseptic revision and lower rates of wound disruption. CONCLUSION: Smokeless tobacco use is associated with higher rates of both medical and joint complications following primary TKA. However, smoking is associated with higher risk for complications than smokeless tobacco use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Effect of Sickle Cell Trait on Total Hip Arthroplasty in a Matched Cohort.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear if sickle cell trait (SCT) carrier status conveys an increased risk for poor outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study is to compare short-term clinical outcomes of THA for patients with SCT vs matched controls. METHODS: Patient records were queried from the PearlDiver database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients with SCT who underwent THA were matched 1:1 with controls across age, gender, Elixhauser Comorbidity Index, obesity, and US region. Thirty-day and 90-day rates of systemic complications and 1-year and 2-year rates of joint complications were compared with logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 1646 patients were assigned to each cohort. In the 30-day and 90-day postoperative periods, SCT carriers had a higher likelihood of cerebrovascular accident, anemia, acute renal failure, pneumonia, sepsis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory failure (all P < .05). SCT carriers exhibited significantly higher risk of periprosthetic joint infection at both 1 (3.5% vs 2.1%; odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-2.99) and 2 years (3.7% vs 2.6%; OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.07-2.49) postoperatively. Prosthetic loosening was also significantly more likely for SCT carriers within 1 year (1.3% vs 0.3%; OR 4.49, 95% CI 1.75-13.86). CONCLUSION: Patients with SCT exhibited significantly higher risk for systemic complications, periprosthetic joint infection, and prosthetic loosening after THA. Increased perioperative efforts should be made to prevent hypoxia, acidosis, and dehydration, as these states increase red blood cell sickling, which may reduce complication rates and improve outcomes in patients with SCT.

Put Down the Tin: Chewing Tobacco Use Is Associated With Worse Outcomes After Primary Lumbar Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact of chewing tobacco on both medical and spine-related complication rates after spinal lumbar fusions in comparison to both a control cohort and a smoking cohort. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Smoking is a prevalent modifiable risk factor that has been demonstrated to be associated with increased complications after lumbar fusion. Although smoking rates have decreased in the United States, chewing tobacco use has not similarly reduced. Despite chewing tobacco delivering up to 4 times the dose of smoking, the impact of chewing tobacco is incompletely understood. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the PearlDiver database. Patients who underwent lumbar spine fusion and used chewing tobacco were matched with a control cohort and a smoking cohort. Medical complications within 90 days after primary lumbar fusion were evaluated, including deep venous thrombosis, acute kidney injury, pulmonary embolism, transfusion, acute myocardial infarction, and inpatient readmission. Spine-related complications were evaluated at 2 years postoperatively, including pseudoarthrosis, incision and drainage (I&D), instrument failure, revision, and infection. RESULTS: After primary lumbar fusion, the chewing tobacco cohort demonstrated significantly higher rates of pseudoarthrosis [odds ratio (OR): 1.41], revision (OR: 1.57), and any spine-related complication (OR: 1.32) compared with controls. The smoking cohort demonstrated significantly higher rates of pseudoarthrosis (OR: 1.88), I&D (OR: 1.27), instrument failure (OR: 1.39), revision (OR: 1.54), infection (OR: 1.34), and any spine-related complication (OR: 1.77) compared with controls. The chewing tobacco cohort demonstrated significantly lower rates of pseudoarthrosis (OR: 0.84), I&D (OR: 0.49), infection (OR: 0.70), and any spine-related complication (OR: 0.81) compared with the smoking cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that chewing tobacco is associated with higher rates of both spine-related and medical complications after primary lumbar fusion. However, chewing tobacco use is associated with less risk of complications compared with smoking. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

The Snuffbox: The Effect of Smokeless Tobacco Use on Scaphoid Fracture Healing.

BACKGROUND: Smoking has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for nonunion of scaphoid fractures, but it is unclear if chewing tobacco confers similar risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate rates of bone-related complications after nonsurgical management of scaphoid fractures in smokeless tobacco users compared with matched control subjects and compared with smokers. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the PearlDiver database. For patients who underwent nonsurgical management of scaphoid fractures, 212 smokeless tobacco users and 6,048 smokers were matched 1:4 with control subjects (n = 848 and 24,192, respectively) and 212 smokeless tobacco users were matched 1:4 with 848 smokers. Rates of bone-related complications within 2 years of initial injury were compared using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: From weeks 12 through 104 after initial injury, compared with control subjects who do not use tobacco, the smokeless tobacco cohort demonstrated markedly higher rates of nonunion (5.7% vs 2.7%, OR: 2.07). Compared with control subjects who do not use tobacco, the smoking cohort demonstrated markedly higher rates of nonunion (4.3% vs 2.6%, OR: 1.91), repair of nonunion (1.5% vs 0.9%, OR: 1.87), and four corner fusion and proximal row carpectomy (0.3% vs 0.1%, OR: 3.17). Smokeless tobacco use was markedly underdiagnosed in the adult male cohort of unilateral scaphoid fractures with 2 years of follow-up found in the database (372 of 25,704, 1.45%) relative to Centers for Disease Control estimates for adult male smokeless tobacco use (4.5%) ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Given the higher rates of nonunion diagnoses after nonsurgical management in this cohort, surgeons should consider asking all patients with scaphoid fractures if they use smokeless tobacco or smoke and consider adding this to the patient's intake history to further identify patients at risk for nonunions. Tobacco cessation counseling is indicated for all tobacco users, including smokeless with scaphoid fractures.

Spaceflight validation of technology for point-of-care monitoring of peripheral blood WBC and differential in astronauts during space missions.

During long duration orbital space missions, astronauts experience immune system dysregulation, the persistent reactivation of latent herpesviruses, and some degree of clinical incidence. During planned NASA 'Artemis' deep space missions the stressors that cause this phenomenon will increase, while clinical care capability will likely be reduced. There is currently minimal clinical laboratory capability aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The ability to monitor the white blood cell count (WBC) and differential during spaceflight has been an unmet NASA medical requirement, primarily due to a lack of capable hardware. We performed ground and flight validation of a device designed to monitor WBC and differential within minutes from a fingerstick blood sample. This device is miniaturized, robust, and generally compatible with microgravity operations. Ground testing for spaceflight consisted of vibration tolerance, power/battery and interface requirements, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and basic evaluation of sample preparation and operations in the context of spaceflight constraints. The in-flight validation performed aboard the ISS by two astronauts included assessment of three levels of control solution (blood) samples as well as a real time analysis of a fingerstick blood sample by one of the crewmembers. Flight and ground testing of the same lot of control solutions yielded similar total WBC values. There was some select discrepancy between flight and ground data for the differential analysis. However, the data suggest that this issue is due to compromise of the control solutions as a result of storage length before flight operations, and not due to a microgravity-associated issue with instrument performance. This evaluation also yielded lessons learned regarding crewmember training for technique-sensitive small-volume biosample collection and handling in microgravity. The fingerstick analysis was successful and was the first real-time hematology assessment performed during spaceflight. This device may provide an in-mission monitoring capability for astronauts thereby assisting Flight Surgeons and the crew medical officer during both orbital and deep space missions.