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Malnourished patients had increased risk for short-term complications after TSA
Patients who were malnourished prior to total shoulder arthroplasty experienced a significantly increased risk for blood transfusion, longer hospital stay and death within 30 days of surgery, according to results of this retrospective database study.
Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, researchers identified 4,655 patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty between 2005 and 2013. Researchers collected preoperative albumin measurements from 36.1% of patients, and patients with a concentration of less than 3.5 g/dL were considered malnourished. Researchers compared the rates of postoperative complications between normal and malnourished patients.
Grant H. Garcia
Results showed an overall prevalence of preoperative malnutrition of 7.6%. Compared with controls, researchers found a significantly increased proportion of normal-weight patients and patients classified as class III obese who were malnourished. Malnourished patients experienced higher risks for blood transfusion, development of postoperative pulmonary complications, death and extended length of stay vs. controls, according to results. Although results showed a trend toward an increased risk of any major complication among malnourished patients, this finding did not reach significance.
According to results of multivariable logistic regressions adjusted for demographics, comorbidities and BMI, patients who were malnourished were at a significantly increased risk for death within 30 days, postoperative anemia requiring transfusion and extended length of stay. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.