Impact of Obesity on Joint Replacement Surgery Outcomes: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND

Obesity negatively impacts joint health and poses challenges during joint replacement surgery, leading to less favorable postoperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the impact of obesity on postoperative outcomes following joint replacement surgery by comparing obese and non-obese patients.

METHODOLOGY

This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2022 to December 2023, including 186 patients, of which 93 were classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and 93 as non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m²). Data on postoperative complications, mobility, pain scores, comorbidities, and demographics were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of adverse outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean BMI was significantly higher in obese patients (34.8 ± 3.2 kg/m²) compared to non-obese patients (24.6 ± 2.1 kg/m²). Obese patients had a higher prevalence of severe osteoarthritis (45.16% vs. 26.88%, p = 0.008), longer hospital stays (7.6 ± 2.1 vs. 5.4 ± 1.7 days, p < 0.001), and an increased incidence of postoperative complications, including surgical site infections (11.83% vs. 4.30%, p = 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that obesity was an independent predictor of poor postoperative outcomes (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.30-4.50, p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Obese patients experienced higher complication rates, greater postoperative discomfort, reduced mobility, and prolonged hospital stays compared to non-obese patients. These findings highlight the significant negative impact of obesity on joint replacement surgery outcomes and emphasize the need for tailored preoperative assessments, optimized perioperative care, and targeted rehabilitation strategies for obese patients.