Rheumatoid Arthritis vs Osteoarthritis in Patients Receiving Total Knee Arthroplasty: Perioperative Outcomes

There is a paucity of data available on perioperative outcomes of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We determined differences in demographics and risk for perioperative adverse events between patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) versus RA using a population-based approach. Of 351,103 entries for patients who underwent TKA, 3.4% had a diagnosis of RA. RA patients were on average younger [RA: 64.3 years vs OA: 66.6 years; P < 0.001] and more likely female [RA: 79.2% vs OA: 63.2%; P < 0. 001]. The unadjusted rates of mortality and most major perioperative adverse events were similar in both groups, with the exception of infection [RA: 4.5% vs. OA: 3.8%; P < 0.001]. RA was not associated with increased adjusted odds for combined adverse events.