Differential Pattern of Obesity in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Candidates

Purpose: This study examined the differential pattern of obesity between men and women with severe OA of the knee or hip joint. The relationship between creatinine, a pro-inflammatory parameter and obesity, sex, and site of joint involvement was examined. Design: This study involved a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty. Results: Data of 5,130 patients (1,989 males, 39%, 3,141 females, 62%), mean age: 66 (11) were used for data analysis. Of these patients, 2,038 patients underwent hip and 3,092 patients underwent knee arthroplasty. Prevalence of obesity (grade I and II) was higher in the TKA group as compared with THA group (55% vs. 38%) with the prevalence of morbid obesity (Grade II) being twice as many in the TKA group (27% vs. 14%), p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and site of joint involvement ( p < 0.001) and for the interaction between sex of the patient and site of arthritis ( p < 0.001). In the TKA group, the sex factor was the only factor that was related to the pre-op creatinine level ( p < 0.001). In THA group, both sex ( p < 0.001) and obesity ( p = 0.002) showed an association with pre-op creatinine. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that obesity has a multifaceted interaction with osteoarthritis with a differential pattern in hip and knee joints. Creatinine considered as a pro-inflammatory factor appears to have a differential role in hip and knee OA.