title: Length of stay and its impact upon functional outcomes following lower limb arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to investigate the interplay between patient characteristics and (1) length of hospital stay and (2) one-year patient-reported outcome following total knee and hip arthroplasty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Event (survival) analysis and structural equation modelling were performed for 1001 patients undergoing knee (n = 566) and hip (n = 435) arthroplasty in a single institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, body mass index and co-morbidities were independent predictors of length of stay in both event analysis and structural equation modelling. These patient characteristics and type of arthroplasty had both small direct and indirect effects on patient-reported outcome measures at one year. Length of stay had a small effect (<2 %) in SF-36 scores at one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Predictors that influence length of stay also impact on one-year post-operative outcome and therefore should be taken into account during patient selection and discharge planning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study, Level III.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK. t.m.brock@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Brock
authors.affiliation: South Tees Hospitals, James Cook Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesbrough, TS4 3BW, UK.
authors.forename: Paul N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Newcastle University, Devonshire Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RU, UK.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rushton
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardgett
authors.affiliation: Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deehan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000071066:Patient Reported Outcome Measures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Arthroplasty; Enhanced recovery; Fast track; Length of stay