Search Here

Total joint replacement patients with three or more metabolic syndrome risk factors might be almost three times likely to catch complications, according to a new study. Researchers said complications can happen within the first year after joint replacement. 

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of myriad of disorders. Some of them include obesity with a body mass index (BMI) > 30kg/m2, dyslipidemia (an abnormal amount of lipids in the blood), hypertension and diabetes.

Statistically, more than 47 million adults ages 20 and older including one million adolescents in the U.S. are having this syndrome. The syndrome also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. 

As subjects, total of 168 patients were taken into account that had characteristics of metabolic syndrome who also underwent total hip and total knee replacements. 

 Of the 39 patients with three or more risk factors, only 21 (16.3 percent) had complications within the first year, the press release read. Obesity, measured by BMI, had the biggest impact on postoperative complications, with complications occurring in 16.2 percent of the patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2, it added.

Patients whose BMI were recorded to be below 30 kg/m2, the risk of complication was observed only 1.6 percent. Impact caused due to BMI becomes more significant when combined with hypertension. Reportedly 30.8 percent of patients with a BMI≥30kg/m2 and hypertension experienced complications.

Study authors said identifying, counseling and addressing these issues in patients with metabolic syndrome risk factors reduced complication rates. 

The study, "Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Peri-Operative Complication Rates after Total Joint Replacement Surgery" has been published by AAOS.