Sex-related differences in periprosthetic joint infection research

Abstract

Introduction: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) have emerged as a focal point in the realm of orthopedics, garnering widespread attention owing to the escalating incidence rates and the profound impact they impose on patients undergoing total joint arthroplasties (TJAs). Year after year, there has been a growing trend in the analysis of multiple risk factors, complication rates, and surgical treatments in the field. This study aims to illuminate the status of the sex-related differences in periprosthetic joint infections and advance research in this field. Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The final reference list comprised longitudinal studies (both retrospective and prospective) and randomized controlled trials. A sex-based analysis was conducted to assess differences between males and females. Results: A total of 312 studies were initially identified through online database searches and reference investigations. Nine studies were subsequently included in the review. Eight out of nine studies examined the risk of developing PJI after total joint replacement. Notably, only half of these studies demonstrated a statistically significant value, with a $p$ value $<0.05$ , indicating a higher risk of infectious complications in males compared to females. Conclusion: According to the current literature, there appears to be a propensity for males to develop periprosthetic joint infection after total joint arthroplasty at a higher rate than the female population. Enhancing sex-related analysis in this field is imperative for gathering more robust evidence and insights.

Figure 1

Flowchart according to PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021).