Total hip arthroplasty: Differences in outcome measures between men and women

Introduction: Patient-related factors impact the long-term survival of hip arthroplasty. This study evaluated whether there were differences in outcome measures between men and women undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Methods: A retrospective study of prospectively collected data on 75 primary total hip arthroplasties in 72 patients was conducted. Medical history, physical examination, Harris Hip scores, and Quality of Life forms (SF-36) were obtained for each patient preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative radiographs were assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence scoring system. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. Results: Preoperatively, women and men had comparable Kellgren and Lawrence scores and Harris Hip scores. Of the 8 subscores for the SF-36, only the Physical Functioning subscore was significantly different preoperatively. Similar results were noted postoperatively; again, only the Physical Functioning subscores were significantly different between men and women. Conclusions: Physician assessments were not significantly different preoperatively and postoperatively for men or women. The results for the SF-36 were similar except for a significant difference in the Physical Functioning subscore preoperatively and postoperatively. According to the Medical Outcomes Trust, the SF-36 Physical Functioning score has been shown to be the best all-around measure of physical health.