INTRODUCTION: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are typically treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). This study evaluated the outcome of THA in this patient group. METHODS: From January 2004 to January 2017, we retrospectively studied 92 THAs for patients with SLE and 92 THAs for age- and sex-matched patients suffering from ONFH due to nonrheumatic etiologies Both groups were treated with cementless THA and followed up for an average of 50.9 ± 30.6 months. Their surgical outcomes and complications were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: No significant difference existed in age, sex, weight, height, follow-up time, and Ficat staging between the groups. All patients with SLE were in inactive or stably active disease conditions. For all patients, the Harris hip score (HHS) (from 52.6 to 92.8; P < 0.001), Physical Component Summary Scale score (PCS) (from 29.4 to 49.3; P < 0.001), and Mmental Component Summary Scale score (MCS) (from 50.5 to 55.5; P < 0.001) of the Short Form-12 improved significantly after surgery. At the final follow-up, the HHS and MCS were comparable between the two groups. The PCS remained lower in the SLE group (P = 0.017), and no recorded revision surgieries in either group. Corticosteroid intake and testing positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, rather than having a SLE disease activity index score greater than zero, were risk factors for higher complications. DISCUSSION: Performing THA for patients with SLE in an inactive or stably active disease condition resulted in comparable postoperative HHS and MCS scores, a lower PCS score, and shorter term postoperative complications compared with patients with ONFH resulting from nonrheumatic diseases. Patients with SLE had a higher risk for postoperative complications. It is generally safe and effective to perform THA in patients with inactive or stably active SLE. However, they still have an increased risk of short-term complications.
INTRODUCTION:Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are typically treated with total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). This study evaluated the outcome of THA in this patient group. METHODS: From January 2004 to January 2017, we retrospectively studied 92 THAs for patients with SLE and 92 THAs for age- and sex-matched patients suffering from ONFH due to nonrheumatic etiologies Both groups were treated with cementless THA and followed up for an average of 50.9 ± 30.6 months. Their surgical outcomes and complications were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: No significant difference existed in age, sex, weight, height, follow-up time, and Ficat staging between the groups. All patients with SLE were in inactive or stably active disease conditions. For all patients, the Harris hip score (HHS) (from 52.6 to 92.8; P < 0.001), Physical Component Summary Scale score (PCS) (from 29.4 to 49.3; P < 0.001), and Mmental Component Summary Scale score (MCS) (from 50.5 to 55.5; P < 0.001) of the Short Form-12 improved significantly after surgery. At the final follow-up, the HHS and MCS were comparable between the two groups. The PCS remained lower in the SLE group (P = 0.017), and no recorded revision surgieries in either group. Corticosteroid intake and testing positive for antiphospholipid antibodies, rather than having a SLE disease activity index score greater than zero, were risk factors for higher complications. DISCUSSION: Performing THA for patients with SLE in an inactive or stably active disease condition resulted in comparable postoperative HHS and MCS scores, a lower PCS score, and shorter term postoperative complications compared with patients with ONFH resulting from nonrheumatic diseases. Patients with SLE had a higher risk for postoperative complications. It is generally safe and effective to perform THA in patients with inactive or stably active SLE. However, they still have an increased risk of short-term complications.