Hao Xu1, Guangqian Shang1, Yingzhen Wang1, Shuai Xiang2. 1. Department of Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. 2. Department of Joint Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China. Electronic address: 15169093669@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We investigated the diagnostic value of fibrinolytic markers for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), determined their relationship with culture results, and evaluated whether these markers could assess infection control and determine the timing of second-stage reimplantation. DESIGN/ METHODS: This single-center-retrospective study included 206 patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty (PJI group, n = 79; aseptic loosening [AL] group, n = 127). The plasma levels of fibrinogen, d-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. Subgroup analysis within the PJI group was also performed. RESULTS: The plasma levels of fibrinogen, d-dimer, ESR, and CRP were significantly lower in the AL group, with an area under the curve of 0.848, 0.669, 0.865, and 0.841, respectively. The plasma level of d-dimer was significantly lower in patients with culture-negative PJI. In patients with residual infection, the levels of all the markers had not significantly changed, while noticeably decreased plasma levels of fibrinogen, ESR, and CRP were detected in patients with successful second-stage reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma fibrinogen is a promising marker for diagnosing PJI and evaluating persistent infection. Decreased plasma levels of d-dimer in patients with PJI might be linked with negative culture results.
OBJECTIVES: We investigated the diagnostic value of fibrinolytic markers for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), determined their relationship with culture results, and evaluated whether these markers could assess infection control and determine the timing of second-stage reimplantation. DESIGN/ METHODS: This single-center-retrospective study included 206 patients who underwent revision hip or knee arthroplasty (PJI group, n = 79; aseptic loosening [AL] group, n = 127). The plasma levels of fibrinogen, d-dimer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed. Subgroup analysis within the PJI group was also performed. RESULTS: The plasma levels of fibrinogen, d-dimer, ESR, and CRP were significantly lower in the AL group, with an area under the curve of 0.848, 0.669, 0.865, and 0.841, respectively. The plasma level of d-dimer was significantly lower in patients with culture-negative PJI. In patients with residual infection, the levels of all the markers had not significantly changed, while noticeably decreased plasma levels of fibrinogen, ESR, and CRP were detected in patients with successful second-stage reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma fibrinogen is a promising marker for diagnosing PJI and evaluating persistent infection. Decreased plasma levels of d-dimer in patients with PJI might be linked with negative culture results.