Predictors of low self-rated health in patients aged 65+ after total hip-replacement (THR) — A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: THR is as a very efficient operation in terms of pain-relief and improvement of walking ability. However, after the operation some patients still report low health status.

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe health status among the patients following THR and to identify factors predicting low self-rated health after surgery.

Material and method: A cross-sectional study including 287 patients aged 65+, who had had THR within 12-months were performed. Patients from five Danish counties received a mailed questionnaire assessing health status and demographic data. Short Form-36 measures eight domains of importance for health status. The measures are physical function, role physical, bodily pain, social function, role emotional, general health, vitality and mental health.

Results: Patients living alone or being depend on help from others had a significantly increased risk of having lower scores in 7 of 8 domains of health status after surgery. Regression analysis revealed that living alone could predict significant lower score on two of the eight health domains.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that health status is scored low in patients living alone or having no support. This implies that there might be a need for further postoperative interventions.