Abstract
This paper investigates the association between risk factors recorded prospectively before primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and the risk for later revision surgery. The National Health Screening Service in Norway invited 56 818 people born between 1925 and 1942 to participate in an investigation of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and 92% participated. Matching these screening data with data from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register about primary THA and revision THA, we identified 504 men and 834 women who had undergone primary THA at a mean age of 62 years. Of these, 75 and 94 were revised during follow-up. The mean age at screening was 49 years and the mean age at censoring was 68 years. The mean age of those who underwent revision THA was 57 years. Men had a 1.9 times higher risk of undergoing hip revision during follow-up (95% CI). For each year’s increase in age at primary THA, the risk of revision THA during follow-up decreased by 14% for men and 17% for women. Men who at screening had the highest level of physical leisure activities had 5.5 times the risk of later revision than those with the lowest level of physical activity (95% CI).
Men have a higher risk for revision THA. The older the patient, the lower the risk for revision. Men with intense physical activity in middle age are at increased risk of undergoing revision THA before they reach 70.
The abstracts were prepared by Professor M. B. E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at PO Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg 2121, South Africa.
