[Clinical results and perceived health among patients with hip prosthesis].
BACKGROUND
Assessment of total hip replacement has been performed without careful attention to the patients' perceived health. The objective of this study is to assess, in a standardized way, the benefit of hip replacement in terms of hip pain, mobility, and function and as an increase in general perceived health. And to quantify clinical complications of the procedure.


METHODS
Observational study of a series of 131 consecutive patients of a tertiary hospital to whom two health questionnaires (one specific and the other generic) were administered before and one year after total hip replacement. The specific instrument, the Hip Pain and Function (HPF) scale, measures the functional capacity of the hip gathering information on pain, function and mobility. Scores for the HPF range from 0 (maximal limitation of functional capacity) to 85 (no limitation). The generic instrument used, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) measures perceived health and scores range from 0 (best health status) to 100 (worse).


RESULTS
Mean age of patients was 63 years; ostheo-arthritis was the most frequent diagnosis (78%), with 42% of the patients with associated pathology. An improvement in both hip functional capacity and perceived general health was observed after one year. HPF scores increased from 26.6 at baseline to 69.9 (p < 0.001). Improvements was important and statistically significant in each of the three dimensions of the specific instrument: Pain, Function and Mobility. Overall score for the NHP changed from 50.9 (at baseline) to 18.1 (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed only two variables associated with improvement: a higher improvement hip function for patients with no other joints affected; and a higher improvement of perceived health in patients over 70 years with cemented prosthesis, that had a worse initial perceived health status.


CONCLUSIONS
Total hip replacement decreases pain and significantly improves hip mobility and function, as well as the general perceived health. The improvement of perceived health was higher in patients over 70 years.
Martí Valls
J
J
Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona.
Alonso
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006622:Hip Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies