title: The use of biologic DMARDs identifies rheumatoid arthritis patients with more optimistic expectations of total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preoperative expectations of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) correlate with postsurgical satisfaction, and are linked to outcomes. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other chronic diseases, may lower expectations, although new biologic medications have greatly enhanced patients' quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to compare preoperative expectations of RA to those of matched osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing TKA, and examine the subset of RA on biologic DMARD therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  For a cross-sectional study, RA and OA identified from an institutional TKA registry were matched on age, sex, prior TKA, and preoperative function. Expectations were measured using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee Expectations Survey. Expectations and quality of life measures were assessed preoperatively and scores were compared between RA and OA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred fourteen RA cases, 46.5% on biologics, were matched to 228 OA cases. The average expectations score was not significantly lower for RA compared to OA (72.9 ± 20.7 vs. 77.2 ± 18.3, p = 0.040. RA on biologics had expectations similar to OA (total expectation score 76.3 ± 18.1 vs. 77.4 ± 17.4, p = 0.71), while RA not on biologics had expectations that were significantly lower (69.9 ± 22.4 vs. 77.1 ± 19.0, p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of biologics in RA patients was associated with higher expectations, similar to those of OA patients, but the effect on outcomes is not known. Further studies should assess the effect of higher expectations in RA patients on outcomes.
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA ; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 USA.
authors: Susan M
authors: SM
authors: Goodman
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA ; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 USA.
authors: Lisa A
authors: LA
authors: Mandl
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA ; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 USA.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Figgie
authors: Division of Rheumatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA ; Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 USA.
authors: Beverly K
authors: BK
authors: Johnson
authors: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065 USA ; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th St, New York, NY 10021 USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Alexiades
authors: Division of Health Policy, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA ; Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY USA.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Ghomrawi
keywords: arthroplasty; expectations; osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis