[Personality and comorbidity: are there "difficult patients" in hip arthroplasty?]

Abstract

Background: Concomitant disorders at the time of surgery in addition to psychological and socioeconomic patient characteristics may influence treatment outcomes in hip arthroplasty.

Objectives: To describe the impact of these factors on perioperative complications and postoperative results in terms of function, quality of life, and patient satisfaction.

Materials and methods: Review of relevant clinical studies, meta-analyses, and presentation of our own results.

Results: Comorbidities in general, especially in combination, increase the perioperative risk profile. Socioeconomic factors (education, professional qualifications, social deprivation) in addition to psychological variables (depression, distressed personality) can have a major impact on postoperative functional outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Conclusions: It is of crucial importance to avoid inequalities in the provision of joint replacement for patients with hip osteoarthritis and co-existing risk factors. Preventive strategies should be implemented to reduce the negative impact of comorbidities on treatment outcome. Personalized communication and education may be helpful in avoiding unrealistic patient expectations before hip replacement.