Consistency in patient-reported outcomes after total hip replacement

Purpose — The primary objective in this study was to describe the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of total hip replacement (THR) patients 6 years after index surgery. Second, we sought to analyze how the preoperative, 1- and 6-year outcomes were associated.

Patients and methods — By assessing the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register (SHAR), 15,755 patients with complete follow-up were included in the study group. 1-year and 6-year response rates were 93% and 87%. PROMs used by the SHAR include the EQ-5D instrument, and 2 modified visual analogue scales, 1 for pain and 1 for satisfaction. We used a multivariable linear regression model to examine the relationship between preoperative, 1-year, and 6-year outcome.

Results — On average, patient-reported outcomes 6 years after THR were satisfactory. Though there was some deterioration in all mean 6-year PROMs, the patient-reported outcome after 6 years strongly resembled that of the 1-year results. The 1-year follow-up was the strongest factor associated with the 6-year results.

Interpretation — There is little deterioration in patient-reported outcomes 6 years after THR compared with the 1-year results. Although the 1-year follow-up was the strongest predictor of the 6-year results it could not alone explain the results, thus supporting the utility of the 6-year follow-up in THR patients.