Healio Rheumatology interviewed Susan M. Goodman, MD, rheumatologist at HSS, about her recent study published in Arthritis Care & Research on the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during a total hip or knee arthroplasty.

“Patients with rheumatoid arthritis continue to undergo total hip and total knee replacement to lessen pain and improve function due to advanced arthritis of the knee and hip, despite the overall improved outcomes associated with the increased use of potent disease modifying drugs and biologics,” explained Dr. Goodman. “However, patients with RA may not achieve the same outcomes in gain of function, and are at higher risk for complications including prosthetic joint infection or hip dislocation.”

Dr. Goodman and colleagues conducted a prospective observational cohort study of patients at a high-volume center for musculoskeletal disease and collected patient-reported outcomes data (including HOOS/KOOS) as well as a patient questionnaire. Outcomes were also assessed one year post surgery.

“We have demonstrated that higher disease activity, but not acute post-op flares, is linked to less gain in pain relief and function one year after total hip and total knee replacement surgery,” said Dr. Goodman.

Read the full article at Healio.com.