J Knee Surg 2023; 36(02): 115-120
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1729966
Original Article

Impact of Preoperative Opioid Use on Patient-Reported Outcomes after Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Propensity Matched Analysis

Authors

  • Eitan Ingall

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Christian Klemt

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Christopher M. Melnic

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Wayne B. Cohen-Levy

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Venkatsaiakhil Tirumala

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
  • Young-Min Kwon

    1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
 

Abstract

This is a retrospective study. Prior studies have characterized the deleterious effects of narcotic use in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While there is an increasing revision arthroplasty burden, data on the effect of narcotic use in the revision surgery setting remain limited. Our aim was to characterize the effect of active narcotic use at the time of revision TKA on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). A total of 330 consecutive patients who underwent revision TKA and completed both pre- and postoperative PROMs was identified. Due to differences in baseline characteristics, 99 opioid users were matched to 198 nonusers using the nearest-neighbor propensity score matching. Pre- and postoperative knee disability and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function (KOOS-PS), patient reported outcomes measurement information system short form (PROMIS SF) physical, PROMIS SF mental, and physical SF 10A scores were evaluated. Opioid use was identified by the medication reconciliation on the day of surgery. Propensity score–matched opioid users had significantly lower preoperative PROMs than the nonuser for KOOS-PS (45.2 vs. 53.8, p < 0.01), PROMIS SF physical (37.2 vs. 42.5, p < 0.01), PROMIS SF mental (44.2 vs. 51.3, p < 0.01), and physical SF 10A (34.1 vs. 36.8, p < 0.01). Postoperatively, opioid-users demonstrated significantly lower scores across all PROMs: KOOS-PS (59.2 vs. 67.2, p < 0.001), PROMIS SF physical (43.2 vs. 52.4, p < 0.001), PROMIS SF mental (47.5 vs. 58.9, p < 0.001), and physical SF 10A (40.5 vs. 49.4, p < 0.001). Propensity score–matched opioid-users demonstrated a significantly smaller absolute increase in scores for PROMIS SF Physical (p = 0.03) and Physical SF 10A (p < 0.01), as well as an increased hospital length of stay (p = 0.04). Patients who are actively taking opioids at the time of revision TKA report significantly lower preoperative and postoperative outcome scores. These patients are more likely to have longer hospital stays. The apparent negative effect on patient reported outcomes after revision TKA provides clinically useful data for surgeons in engaging patients in a preoperative counseling regarding narcotic use prior to revision TKA to optimize outcomes.


Over the past decade, the harmful effects of opioids have come into focus across the United States. Within the orthopaedic community, there has been a concerted effort to highlight and reduce opioid usage given their harmful effects.[1] [2] While trends demonstrate improvement in prescribing practices, the opioid epidemic continues to plague the United States.

Preoperative opioid use has been associated with increased rates of prosthetic joint infection (PJI), all-cause revision, postoperative complications, readmission rates, and longer hospital stays in patients undergoing primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA).[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Despite this substantial body of literature on the effect of opioids on quality metrics, few studies have examined the impact opioid use patterns on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).[1] [6] Patient-reported outcomes, such as the patient reported outcomes measurement information system short form (PROMIS SF) physical, mental, and SF 10A, are patient response surveys that provide a direct evaluation of patient opinion and functional outcomes following surgery.[7] [8] These tools are increasingly being studied in the arthroplasty setting to better understand patient-perceived effect of their hip and knee replacement.[9] [10] [11]

The burden of revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is expected to increase between 78 and 182% by 2030.[12] Opioid use is of particular concern in this population, as the percentage of opioid-naïve patients is lower among revision joint arthroplasty patients as compared with primary arthroplasty.[1] The cause of this increased use has not been elucidated; however, prolonged opioid use after TKA and other major surgeries is likely a contributing factor.[13] The impact of preoperative opioid use on PROM following revision TKA is important to elucidate as patients undergoing revision arthroplasty are already expected to experience reduced improvement in PROM as compared with primary arthroplasty.[14] The aim of this investigation was to characterize the effect of preoperative narcotic use on PROMs following revision TKA. The authors' hypothesized that patients taking opioids preoperatively would experience reduced improvement postoperatively as compared with opioid-native patients.

Materials and Methods

Patients

The institutional review board (IRB) approved a retrospective review of all patients who underwent revision TKA who had also completed both pre- and postoperative PROMs. All revision surgeries were performed by a total of seven fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons. The PROMs collected included PROMIS Global-10, the physical function short form 10A (SF 10A), and the knee disability and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function (KOOS-PS).[15] [16] [17] The electronic medical record (EMR) was queried to identify patients who met these inclusion criteria. Age, laterality, sex, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, body mass index (BMI), comorbid psychiatric conditions, length of stay (LOS), PROM follow-up time, indication for surgery, and opioid use were all collected from the chart using hospital progress notes, clinic notes, or operative reports.

The type of opioid and dosage at the time of presentation for revision TKA was captured directly from the “medications prior to admission” section of the EMR which is reconcile on the day of presentation for surgery. Data collected on preoperative opioid use included the medication, dosage, and frequency. For comparison, all medications were converted to morphine milligram equivalents (MME's).[1] Opioid medications were identified according to the CDC definitions of natural (i.e., morphine), semisynthetic (i.e., oxycodone), and synthetic (i.e., tramadol or methadone) opioids. Patients were thus divided into two cohorts: those who were and were not using opioids preoperative immediately prior to revision TKA.


Cohort Matching

To control for potential confounding variables,[1] patients taking opioids preoperatively were matched 1:2 to nonusers on the basis of the propensity score using the nearest-neighbor matching to investigate the true effect of opioid use on PROMs following revision TKA. The propensity score matching included the following parameters: age, gender, BMI, ASA score, depression or anxiety, as well as revision indications. A maximum difference of 0.2 was chosen for differences between propensity probabilities.[18] A standardized mean difference for each covariate was utilized to examine the balance of covariate between both cohorts.


Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

The KOOS-PS, PROMIS SF physical, PROMIS SF mental, as well as physical SF 10A, scores were collected on average 4.3 days (2.7 days) prior to surgery and 12.5 months (8.5 months) following revision TKA.[15] [16] The minimally clinical important difference (MCID) was set as 10 points for KOOS-PS as determined by Nilsdotter et al.[17] The MCID for the PROMIS SF physical, PROMIS SF mental, as well as physical SF 10A, were set to ranges of 4 to 6 and 3 to 5 respectively, as utilized by other studies in the literature.[1] [19]


Power Analysis

A statistical power analysis was performed for sample size estimation to determine the number needed to detect a significant statistical difference between groups. The power analysis was performed based on data from a similarly designed study for primary TKA patients.[5]. With an α = 0.05, power = 0.80, and the same sampling ratio, the projected sample size needed for this study is approximately 38 opioid users and 78 nonusers.


Statistics

To ensure that each cohort was appropriately matched, we performed paired two-tailed Student's t-test for continuous variables (age, BMI, LOS, and follow-up time), and Pearson's Chi-square test for categorical variables (gender, laterality, ASA score, presence of psychiatric or chronic pain diagnoses, disposition, and multimodal use). The KOOS-PS, PROMIS SF physical, PROMIS SF mental, and SF 10A scores were used to assess patient-reported outcomes both preoperatively and postoperatively at follow-up. Means and standard deviations of these scores were calculated, and two-tailed values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.



Results

Patients

Prior to propensity score matching, we identified 330 consecutive patients who underwent revision TKA and completed PROMs both preoperatively and postoperatively. Of these patients, 128 (39%) were identified as preoperative opioid users, and 202 (61%) were identified as nonusers. There was no difference between the cohorts with regard to gender, surgical laterality, age, BMI, comorbid psychiatric conditions, or PROM follow-up time ([Table 1]). Patients reporting preoperative opioid use demonstrated a significantly higher ASA score (2.7 vs. 2.2; p < 0.001). Preoperative opioid users also had longer average postoperative length of hospital stay (4.0 vs. 3.1 days; p < 0.001).

Table 1

Patient cohort characteristics prior to propensity score matching

Characteristic

Opioid user (n = 128)

Nonopioid user (n = 202)

p-Value

Female/male

67/61

109/93

0.821

Left/right

64/64

103/99

0.910

Age (y)

66.1 ± 9.3

68.2 ± 10.6

0.063

BMI (kg/m2)

32.8 ± 5.9

31.5 ± 6.1

0.056

ASA score

 1

4 (3.13)

10 (4.95)

 2

62 (48.44)

130 (64.36)

0.014

 3

60 (46.88)

59 (29.70)

 4

2 (1.56)

2 (0.99)

Depression/anxiety/psychiatric

36 (28.13)

53 (26.24)

0.705

Length of stay (d)

4.0 ± 0.6

3.1 ± 0.6

<0.001

Revision indication

 Aseptic loosening

47 (37.7)

93 (46.0)

0.17

 PJI

38 (29.6)

29 (14.3)

<0.01

 Instability

19 (14.8)

31 (15.3)

0.79

 Wear

3 (2.3)

3 (1.4)

0.47

 Periprosthetic fracture

5 (3.9)

7 (3.4)

0.9

 Stiffness

16 (12.5)

34 (16.8)

0.51

 PROM follow-up time (mo)

12.2 ± 8.2

12.8 ± 8.8

0.519

Abbreviations: ASA, American Society of Anesthesiology; BMI, body mass index; PJI, prosthetic joint infection; PROM, patient-reported outcome measure.


Note: Values are presented as n, n (%), or mean ± standard deviation.


Following propensity score matching, 297 propensity score–matched patients were included for analysis forming two cohorts as follows: (1) 99 patients who reported opioid use prior to revision TKA, and (2) 198 propensity score–matched patients who did not. There was no significant difference between both cohorts with regard to patient demographics and medical comorbidities ([Table 2]). Mean length of stay (LOS) was longer for opioid users (4.1 days ± 0.7 days) compared with the matched nonusers (3.3 days ± 0.6 days; p < 0.001; [Table 2]).

Table 2

Patient cohort characteristics following propensity score matching

Characteristic

Opioid user (n = 99)

Nonopioid user (n = 198)

p-Value

Female/male

52/47

104/94

0.667

Left/right

48/51

98/100

0.632

Age (y)

66.7 ± 9.0

68.4 ± 10.4

0.254

BMI (kg/m2)

32.3 ± 5.7

31.7 ± 6.2

0.447

ASA score

 1

3 (3.0)

4 (2.0)

 2

50 (50.5)

93 (46.7)

0.340

 3

45 (45.5)

101 (50.7)

 4

1 (1.0)

1 (0.6)

Depression/anxiety/psychiatric

20 (20.2)

51 (25.7)

0.769

Length of stay (d)

4.1 ± 0.7

3.3 ± 0.6

<0.001

Revision indication

 Aseptic loosening

44 (44.4)

92 (46.4)

0.239

 PJI

21 (21.2)

28 (14.1)

0.131

 Instability

18 (18.0)

30 (15.1)

0.673

 Wear

2 (2.0)

3 (1.5)

0.804

 Periprosthetic fracture

3 (3.0)

6 (3.0)

0.987

 Stiffness

11 (11.0)

34 (17.2)

0.266

 PROM follow-up time (mo)

12.5 ± 8.1

12.7 ± 8.5

0.720

Abbreviations: ASA, American Society of Anesthesiology; BMI, body mass index; PJI, prosthetic joint infection; PROM, patient-reported outcome measure.


Note: Values are presented as n, n (%), or mean ± standard deviation.



Patient Reported Outcome Measures

The KOOS-PS, PROMIS SF physical, PROMIS SF mental, as well as physical SF 10A, scores were collected on average 4.3 days (2.7 days) prior to surgery and 12.5 months (8.5 months) following revision TKA. There was no significant difference in PROM follow-up time between the both cohorts ([Table 2]).

Both propensity score–matched cohorts demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in PROMs scores following revision TKA ([Table 3]). Preoperatively, those patients who reported opioid use prior to surgery had significantly lower scores across all four PROMs: KOOS-PS (45.2 vs. 53.8; p < 0.001), PROMIS SF physical (37.2 vs. 42.5; p < 0.001), PROMIS SF mental (44.2 vs. 51.3; p < 0.001), and physical SF 10A (34.1 vs. 36.8; p < 0.001; [Table 3]). The lower preoperative scores for PROMIS SF physical (delta 5.3) and PROMIS SF mental (delta 7.1) were also clinically significant. These trends were mirrored when examining postoperative scores with preoperative opioid users reporting lower 207 scores: KOOS-PS (59.2 vs. 67.2; p = 0.003), PROMIS SF physical (43.2 vs. 52.4; p < 0.001), 208 PROMIS SF mental (47.5 vs. 58.9; p < 0.001) and physical SF 10A (40.5 vs. 49.4; p < 0.001; [Table 3]). The lower postoperative scores for PROMIS SF physical (delta 9.2), PROMIS SF mental (delta 11.4) and physical SF 10A (delta 8.9; [Table 3]) were also clinically significant.

Table 3

PROM scores for the propensity score matched cohorts

PROM score

Opioid users

Nonusers

p-Value

Delta

MCID

Preoperative

 KOOS-PS

45.2 ± 15.8

53.8 ± 14.9

<0.001

8.6

10

 PROMIS SF physical

37.2 ± 7.1

42.5 ± 8.3

<0.001

5.3

4–6

 PROMIS SF mental

44.2 ± 9.8

51.3 ± 9.0

<0.001

7.1

3–5

 Physical SF10A

34.1 ± 4.8

36.8 ± 6.1

<0.001

2.7

3–5

Postoperative

 KOOS-PS

59.2 ± 16.6

67.2 ± 13.6

0.003

8.0

10

 PROMIS SF physical

43.2 ± 7.9

52.4 ± 9.1

<0.001

9.2

4–6

 PROMIS SF mental

47.5 ± 8.5

58.9 ± 7.2

<0.001

11.4

3–5

 Physical SF 10A

40.5 ± 8.1

49.4 ± 9.8

<0.001

8.9

3–5

Abbreviations: KOOS-PS, knee disability and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function; MCID, minimally clinical important difference; PROM, patient-reported outcome measure; PROMIS SF, patient reported outcomes measurement information system short form.


Opioid users demonstrated a significantly lower absolute increase in PROMIS SF physical (6.0 vs. 9.9; p = 0.03) and physical SF 10A (6.4 vs. 12.6; p < 0.001) when compared with nonusers ([Table 4]).

Table 4

Absolute improvement in patient-reported outcome measures after revision total knee arthroplasty

PROM score

Opioid users

Nonusers

p-Value

 KOOS-PS

14.0

13.4

0.93

 PROMIS SF physical

6.0

9.9

0.03

 PROMIS SF mental

7.3

7.6

0.67

 Physical SF 10A

6.4

12.6

<0.001

Abbreviations: KOOS-PS, knee disability and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function; PROM, patient-reported outcome measure; PROMIS SF, patient reported outcomes measurement information system short form.




Discussion

Opioid use has been associated with negative clinical and quality outcomes for patients after primary joint arthroplasty.[20] [21] [22] [23] As revision TKA are expected to increase in the future,[24] appropriate characterization of the impact of preoperative use is important to set expectations and preoperatively counsel patients. Moreover, as health care shifts toward a value-based model, identification of variables that can impact PROMs is of financial concern; particularly in a patient population, such as revision arthroplasty, which already represent a financial burden to the health care system.[25] Wilson et al demonstrated increased complication rates and LOS in patients who had received an opioid prescription in the year prior to their revision TKA.[26] The data herein show that patients who report opioid use prior to revision TKA have significantly lower pre- and postoperative PROMs, when compared with propensity score–matched nonusers. Furthermore, preoperative opioid users experienced lower absolute increases in PROMIS SF physical and physical SF 10A.

Despite advances in multimodal pain regimen and the use of regional anesthetic techniques, opioid consumption has been demonstrated to be higher in revision TKA as compared with primary TKA.[27] Pain control in those exposed chronic opioids preoperatively is more difficult to achieve.[28] Thus, at higher doses, the negative side effects of opioids, such as urinary retention, ileus, nausea, and vomiting, may become more apparent.[29]

The negative impacts of preoperative opioid use on complications and patient morbidity following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and TKA are well known.[5] [20] [21] [30] [31] Rozell et al identified that preoperative opioid use was an independent risk factor for needing intravenous rescue narcotics.[20] This was correlated with increased risk of postoperative interventions such as fluid boluses, transfusions, and urinary catheterization. They also identified that preoperative opioid use more than doubled the risk of continued opioid use 3 months postoperatively. Sing et al specifically identified an association between use of long-acting narcotics preoperatively with postoperative complications, as well as increased likelihood of discharge to a rehab facility as opposed to home.[22] A study following the Veterinary Affairs patients for 6 years after primary TKA found that preoperative opioid users were more likely to undergo early revision TKA, with an odds ratio of 1.40.[24] Preoperative opioid use has been identified an independent risk factor for revision surgery[32] [33] and prolonged LOS.[1] [20] The findings on our study confirm the negative effect of preoperative opioid use on hospital LOS in the setting of revision TKA, which is of importance as revision TKA is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs, when compared with primary TKA.[1] [3] [4] [5] In addition, the present study also demonstrates the negative effect of preoperative opioid use on PROMs.

A limited number of studies to date has reported on the functional outcomes of preoperative opioid users in the primary arthroplasty setting. Pivec et al reported on 54 patients who had used narcotics prior to primary THA.[6] They evaluated the Harris Hip Scores and University of California Loss Angeles (UCLA) activity scores preoperatively and at subsequent postoperative follow-up visits. When compared with a nonnarcotic group, they found the preoperative opioid group had significantly worse Harris' hip scores at final follow-up. Zywiel et al found lower Knee Society scores at a mean of 3-year follow-up for patients using opioids at the time of primary TKA.[2] Smith et al investigated The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores in patients undergoing primary TKA and found WOMAC scores were significantly higher in patients with preoperative opioid use.[5] At 6-month follow-up, their mean 6-month WOMAC pain score reduction was compared with 33 in patients who did not use opioids preoperatively. Similarly, Bonner et al demonstrated significantly lower PROM scores for 76 patients with preoperative opioid use at 1-year following THA.[1]

The present study builds on this body of literature by investigating outcome measures in the revision TKA setting. Importantly, the KOOS-PS, PROMIS, and SF-10 tools are all patient-reported tools in contrast to physician-determined outcome measures such as the Harris hip score. The authors demonstrate concordant results with significantly lower pre- and postoperative KOOS-PS, PROMIS SF physical, SF mental, and SF 10A among opioid users, when compared with propensity score–matched nonopioid users. As revision surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, the present study provides clinically useful data in engaging patients in a preoperative discussion about narcotic use prior to revision TKA to optimize outcomes.


Strengths and Limitations

The current findings should be interpreted in the context of its strengths and limitations. This is a retrospective study design with inherent limitations of reporting and recall bias. While the authors attempted to control for this in a matched cohort of nonopioid users, a prospectively designed study would obviate some of these inherent biases. PROMs tools, just as any survey tool, also have the potential for response/nonresponse bias, as they are voluntary surveys. Only patients who had completed both pre- and postoperative PROMS were eligible for inclusion. The strengths of this study include direct assessment of preoperative narcotic use on the day of revision TKA. In this manner, the authors are able to clearly identify a cohort of patients actively using this class of medication immediately prior to surgery as compared with other similar studies.[26]


Conclusion

In conclusion, patients actively using opioids at the time of revision TKA report significantly lower preoperative and postoperative outcome scores when compared with propensity score–matched patients not actively taking narcotics. Furthermore, the study cohort demonstrated lower absolute increase in PROMIS SF physical and physical SF 10A as compared with matched nonusers. Lastly, these patients were more likely to have longer LOS. The apparent negative effect on patient-reported outcomes after revision TKA provides clinically useful data for surgeons in engaging patients in a preoperative counseling regarding narcotic use prior to revision TKA to optimize outcomes.



Conflict of Interest

None declared.


Address for correspondence

Young-Min Kwon, MD, PhD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114

Publication History

Received: 31 August 2020

Accepted: 01 April 2021

Article published online:
15 May 2021

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