The study, published in February’s JAMA Network Open, identified 3,691 obese patients who underwent hip or knee replacements between 2000 and 2023.
With an average BMI of 37.6, 63.2% of patients had hypertension, 40.1% had diabetes and 74.8% had osteoarthritis.
The study found that the five-year risk of requiring revision was 5.6% among patients who maintained a stable weight or weight gain, versus 4.4% among those with small to moderate weight loss and 3.7% among those with large weight loss.
While GLP-1s help patients lose weight, therefore avoiding revisions, surgeons have concerns that if patients discontinue the anti-obesity medications and see a rebound in weight gain.
In general, hip and knee replacement patients see an average revision rate of 1% and with a cumulative risk rate over 10 years of about 5%. That risk is two to three times higher for obese patients.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
