PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS THAT AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - A REVIEW

OBTECTIVE: TO review the literature regarding patient factors pertinen t to the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA). DATA SOURCES: MEDLIN E from 1966 onward (key words ''hip prosthesis'' and ''treatment outco me'') and literature previously known to the authors and cited in pape rs from all sources. STUDY SELECTION: All identified studies were incl uded provided the methodology permitted assessment of the effect of pa tient factors and a clear outcome was defined (either prosthesis survi val or specific functional outcomes). DATA EXTRACTION The patient fact ors, methods and outcomes described in each paper were summarized on a data extraction form. DATA SYNTHESIS: All data were reviewed by one a uthor. This process was repeated by a second author, and the findings were reviewed by the remaining 2 authors to verify the findings. The b est functional outcomes and prosthesis survival rates were reported am ong patients who were between 45 and 75 years of age, weighed less tha n 70 icg, had strong social support, had a higher educational level, h ad better preoperative functional status and had no comorbid disease. CONCLUSION: Important research remains to be done to examine the magni tude and interaction of patient factors on the outcome of THA.