Predicting quality-of-life outcomes following total joint arthroplasty. Limitations of the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire.
A group of 114 patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty were evaluated to assess the effect of total joint arthroplasty on quality of life, as measured by the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire, and to determine the predictive relationship between preoperative and postoperative scores. A highly significant improvement was seen comparing preoperative with postoperative scores at 2 years for physical function, social function, physical role function, emotional role function, mental health, energy, and pain. Despite a significant change in health status (P < or = .001), no change was seen in the patient's health perception (P = .61). Regression analysis failed to indicate a predictive relationship between preoperative and postoperative scores for any scale. Total joint arthroplasty dramatically improves the quality of life and function of patients afflicted with arthritis; however, because of the poor ability of the SF-36 to predict postoperative improvement on an individual basis, it cannot be used alone to determine treatment selection.
McGuigan
F X
FX
NNMC Orthopaedics Department, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Hozack
W J
WJ
Moriarty
L
L
Eng
K
K
Rothman
R H
RH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome