title: Do intra-articular steroid injections increase infection rates in subsequent arthroplasty? A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies.
abstract: Intra-articular steroid injections are widely used in joint arthritis. The safety of such injections has been questioned as they may increase infection rates in subsequent arthroplasty. We carried out a meta-analysis of studies examining the relation between intra-articular steroid injections and infection rates in subsequent joint arthroplasty. A literature search was undertaken. Eight studies looking at hip and knee arthroplasties were analyzed. Meta-analysis showed that steroid injection had no significant effect on either deep (risk ratio = 1.87; 95% CI 0.80-4.35; P = 0.15) or superficial infection rates (risk ratio = 1.75; 95% CI 0.76-4.04; P = 0.19) of subsequent arthroplasty. Further large cohort studies would be of value in further examining whether steroid injections close to the time of arthroplasty are safe.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry of University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, and Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY3 8NR, UK.
authors.forename: Charalambos P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Charalambous
authors.affiliation: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Lancashire, FY3 8NR, UK.
authors.forename: Apostolos D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Prodromidis
authors.affiliation: Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Lancashire, FY3 8NR, UK.
authors.forename: Tariq A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Kwaees
mesh_terms: D015210:Arthritis, Gouty; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: arthroplasty; infection; injections; intra-articular; steroid