Article

Elevated body weight is associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and
subsequently with total hip arthroplasty (THA). Patients with hip OA who are
overweight often mention their restricted mobility as a factor that thwarts their
attempts to be physically active and lose weight. There is some evidence that THA
increases physical activity, but none for losing body weight after THA.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the short-term (1-year) and
long-term (4.5-year) effects of a THA on body weight.
DESIGN: This was an
observational, multicenter cohort study. METHODS: For the short-term effect, all
patients (N=618) were analyzed; for the long-term effect, a random subgroup
(n=100) was analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative body weight and height were
self-reported. Patients were categorized according to their preoperative body
mass index (BMI <25 kg/m(2)=normal weight, 25-30 kg/m(2)=overweight, >30
kg/m(2)=obese). Clinical relevancy was set at a minimum of 5% weight loss
compared with baseline. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 70 years
(SD=8), 74% were women, and mean preoperative body mass was 79 kg (SD=14). One
year after THA, a significant decrease in body weight of 1% and 3.4% occurred for
the overweight and obese BMI categories, respectively. After 4.5 years, a
significant decrease in body weight of 6.4% occurred for the obese BMI category.
LIMITATIONS: Height and weight-and thus BMI-were self-reported. CONCLUSION:
Patients in the overweight and obese groups showed a decrease, albeit not
clinically relevant, in body weight after 1 year. After 4.5 years, a decrease
that was relevant clinically was observed in the patients who were obese. It can
be concluded that no clinically relevant reduction of weight occurred after THA,
except in the long term for patients who were obese.

Langue : ANGLAIS