title: Predictors of excellent early outcome after total hip arthroplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Not all patients gain the same degree of improvement from total hip replacement and the reasons for this are not clear. Many investigators have assessed predictors of general outcome after hip surgery. This study is unique in its quest for the predictors of the best possible early outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively collected data on 1318 total hip replacements. Prior to surgery patient characteristics, demographics and co-morbidities were documented. Hip function and general health was assessed using the Harris Hip score (HHS) and the Short-Form 36 respectively. The HHS was repeated at three years. We took a maximal HHS of 100 to represent an excellent outcome (102 patients). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of excellent outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two strongest predictive factors in achieving an excellent result were young age and a high pre-operative HHS (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was the young and those less disabled from their arthritis that excelled at three years. When making a decision about the timing of hip arthroplasty surgery it is important to take into account the age and pre-operative function of the patient. Whether these patients continue to excel however will be the basis of future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline, Scotland, UK. ghxsmith@gmail.com
authors.forename: George H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ballantyne
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dunstan
authors.forename: Ivan J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Brenkel
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome