Research article summary (published 29 Jun 2009):

Changes in functional status among persons over age sixty-five undergoing total knee arthroplasty.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study assessed changes in physical functional status following receipt of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in a national sample of persons aged 65+ in the United States relative to a sample of similar OA patients who did not receive TKA. METHODS: Data from the Health Retirement Survey (HRS) and linked Medicare claims from 1994 to 2006 were used to identify persons with diagnoses of OA of the lower leg who received a TKA (n = 516) and those who did not receive TKA (n = 1756). Predicted probabilities of receiving total knee arthroplasty from logit analysis were used for matching TKA and comparison groups on demographic, socioeconomic, and baseline functional status factors. Functional status measures were: mobility, gross motor function, large muscle, and limitations in activities of daily living (ADL). Average treatment effects of the treated (ATT), which compares changes in functional status between those who received TKA with similar individuals who did not receive TKA, were computed using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Mobility (average treatment effect of the treated (ATT = 0.315; 95% CI: 0.118-0.512), gross motor function (ATT = 0.314; 95% CI: 0.156-0.472), and ADL limitations (ATT = 0.174; 95% CI: 0.055-0.293), improved among persons receiving TKA relative to the comparison group. Relative to the mean values of the physical function at baseline, mobility, gross motor function, and ADL limitations persons receiving TKA had better functional outcomes than the comparison group by 17.5, 39.3, and 46.9 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TKA is effective in improving functional status in elderly persons.

Author information

Author/s: Sloan, Frank A (FA); Ruiz, David (D); Platt, Alyssa (A);

Affiliation: Center for Health Policy, Duke University, 302 Towerview Road, Durham, NC 27708, USA. fsloan(-atsign-)duke.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Medical care (Med Care), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 47 (issue 7) : pp 742-8

Dates: Created 2009/06/25; Completed 2009/07/16;

PMID: 19536027, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 7/25/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living - psychology Aged Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - psychology; statistics & numerical data Attitude to Health Geriatric Assessment Health Care Surveys Health Status Health Surveys Humans Insurance Claim Reporting - statistics & numerical data Logistic Models

Longitudinal Studies Medicare - statistics & numerical data Mobility Limitation Multivariate Analysis Muscle Weakness - etiology Osteoarthritis, Knee - complications; physiopathology; psychology; surgery Pain - etiology Questionnaires Sensitivity and Specificity Treatment Outcome United States

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