[Risk factors for nosocomial infections after total knee replacement].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate prevalence and risk factors of nosocomial infections in patients with total knee replacement.


METHODS
From August 1993 to October 1998, total knee replacement was performed on 363 patients (503 knees). The difference of nosocomial infection rates was statistically analyzed in comparison with different age, primary disease, and associated disease groups.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference was observed in nosocomial infection when compared rheumatoid arthritis with osteoarthritis, bilateral total knee replacement (TKR) with unilateral TKR and different ages. However, the higher nosocomial infection rate was related to the following factors: revision surgery, steroid administration and diabetes urinary infection. 28 female patients demonstrated higher urinary infection rate than that in other systems.


CONCLUSIONS
Nosocomial infection rate of TKR in rheumatoid cases is related to steroid administration, accompanying diabetes mellitus, previous knee surgery, aged women and retention of urinary catheter. It is feasible to prevent nosocomial infection by controlling the above-mentioned risk factors.
Gao
T
T
Arthritis and Clinic Research Center, People's Hospital, Beijing Medical Univercity, Beijing 100044, China.
Lü
H
H
Zhou
D
D
Guan
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult