New research on risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection

Editor's Note

Periprosthetic joint infection involving the implant in total knee arthroplasty can cause significant postoperative complications. New research published online first December 15 in Frontiers in Surgery adds new data to the risk factors linked to this type of infection.

In the systematic review, investigators studied risk factors for periprosthetic joint infections across studies.They identified these common risk factors:
*Longer operation time
*Obesity
*Male gender
*Diabetes
*Longer hospital stay
* Use of immunosuppressants
*Hypoalbuminemia
*Underlying systemic inflammatory disease

According to meta-analysis of these studies in the review, these risk factors in particular were found to increase the probability of developing periprosthetic joint infection after primary total knee arthroplasty.