Background: Surgeons often recommend weight loss for patients with obesity before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it is unknown whether preoperative weight loss affects outcomes. The goals of this study were to determine how many patients with obesity lost weight before TKA, to identify weight loss predictors, and to evaluate if preoperative weight loss affected postoperative outcomes. Methods: Among 23,726 primary TKAs performed between 2002 and 2019, we identified 3,665 patients who had a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m 2 measured 1 to 24 months before surgery and had a weight measured at surgery. The mean patient age was 68 years, and 59% of patients were female. The mean patient BMI was 36 kg/m 2 . Univariable linear regressions evaluated weight loss predictors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions and Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the impact of preoperative weight change on discharge, operative time, periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), complications, revisions, and reoperations. The mean follow-up was 6 years. Results: Overall, 20% of patients gained ≥5 pounds (1 pound = 0.45 kg), 39% maintained weight, 17% lost 5 to <10 pounds, 15% lost 10 to <20 pounds, and 9% lost ≥20 pounds before TKA. Male patients lost slightly more weight (−4.6 pounds) than female patients (−4.3 pounds) (p = 0.05). In univariable analyses, gaining >5 pounds was associated with increased odds of extended hospital length of stay (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; p = 0.01) and risk of complications (hazard ratio [HR], 1.7; p < 0.01). Losing 10 to <20 pounds was associated with increased risks of revision (HR, 2.0; p = 0.01), PJI (HR, 3.1; p < 0.01), and complications (HR, 1.6; p = 0.03). In multivariable analyses, compared with maintaining weight, losing 10 to <20 pounds was associated with an increased risk of PJI (HR, 2.6; p = 0.01), whereas gaining >5 pounds was associated with an increased risk of complications (HR, 1.5; p = 0.03). Conclusions: Few patients with obesity lost substantial weight before primary TKA, and reaching common preoperative weight loss goals was not associated with improved outcomes. Although a healthy weight is important for general health, weight loss before TKA may not be sufficient to improve postoperative outcomes for most patients with obesity. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Weight Loss Before Total Hip Arthroplasty Was Not Associated with Decreased Postoperative Risks
Background: Many surgeons use body mass index (BMI) cutoffs when offering total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, little is known about who loses weight before THA, and if weight loss improves outcomes. This study determined how many patients lost weight before primary THA, identified predictors of preoperative weight loss, and evaluated whether preoperative weight loss was associated with improved outcomes. Methods: Among 53,038 primary THAs that were performed between 2002 and 2019, we identified 2,463 patients who had a BMI of ≥30 kg/m 2 (measured 1 to 24 months before surgery) and had their weight measured at the time of surgery. The mean age was 66 years; 47% were women. The mean BMI was 35 kg/m 2 . Nonparametric models evaluated potential associations with weight loss. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the impact of preoperative weight change on hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, operative time, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), complications, revision, and reoperation. The mean follow-up was 5 years. Results: Overall, 17% of the patients gained >5 pounds (2.27 kg), 38% maintained their weight, 16% lost 5 to <10 pounds (4.54 kg), 17% lost 10 to <20 pounds (9.07 kg), and 12% lost ≥20 pounds before THA. Only 28% of patients with a preoperative BMI of ≥40 kg/m 2 achieved a BMI of <40 kg/m 2 by the time of surgery; those who did required a mean of 1.3 years to lose the weight. In multivariable analyses, there were no significant improvements in operative time, length of stay, and discharge disposition, or survivorship free of PJI, complication, revision, or reoperation for any weight-loss category when compared with those who maintained their weight. Conclusions: Only 12% of patients lost ≥20 pounds, and only 28% of patients with a BMI of ≥40 kg/m 2 achieved a BMI of <40 kg/m 2 before primary THA. There was no decrease in complications, revisions, or reoperations for any preoperative weight-loss category when compared with those who maintained their weight. While weight loss benefits overall health, the results of this study call into question whether preoperative weight loss alone is enough to reduce postoperative complications for most patients. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Recruitment strategies and consent rates in a national prospective colorectal cancer screening cohort: results from year 1 of the Voyage Study
Objective To identify the optimal incentive protocol for maximising participation while managing study costs during the Voyage trial. Design Prospective cohort (Voyage trial) of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality outcomes in individuals screened with multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) served as the population. A subset was randomised to receive postage stamps as a pre-consent incentive, or as a post-consent incentive after completion of the consent and questionnaire. Descriptive statistics from year 1 are reported. Results During year 1 of the Voyage trial, a total of 600 258 individuals with mt-sDNA orders received at Exact Sciences Laboratories were randomly selected and invited to participate. Of those, 26 429 (4.4%) opted in, 14 365 of whom (54.3%) consented. The opt-in and consent samples were similar to the target population with respect to sex but differed by geographic residence and age (p<0.001). For the embedded incentive experiment, 2333 were randomised to the pre-incentive arm, while 2342 were randomised to the post-incentive arm. Overall consent rate in the incentive trial was 56.4% (60.9% for the pre-consent incentive arm (1421/2333) vs 52.0% for the post-consent incentive arm (1217/2342), p<0.001). Cost reduction was observed for the pre-consent incentive group, and higher response rates were seen among older versus younger individuals. Conclusions Pre-consent incentive option was associated with a higher participation rate and lower costs and was used for the remainder of study recruitment. CRC incidence and mortality vary with age; thus, adjusting for differential participation by age and region will be important in analyses of Voyage data. Trial registration number NCT04124406.
Primary Human Papillomavirus Test Uptake and Cervical Cancer Screening Trends in the Midwest, United States
Introduction/Objectives: Despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society endorsement of primary HPV screening, limited published data shows low uptake. Primary Aim: Assess cervical cancer screening rates over time, particularly primary HPV test uptake, among patients in a midwestern practice. Secondary Aim: Evaluate associations between sociodemographics and screening adherence. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Qualifying subjects and type of screening test used were identified by applying ICD-9, ICD-10, lab test, and CPT codes to the Unified Data Platform. Sociodemographics were found through the electronic health record. Results: Primary HPV uptake represented <1% of annual screening from 1/2017 to 1/2022. On 1/1/2022, only 55% of 21 to 29 year old and 63% of 30 to 65 year old were up to date with screening among the studied population. For 21 to 29 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 28% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.72 (0.66-0.79)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 9% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.91 (0.87-0.96)], past smokers were 14% more likely [RR = 1.14 (1.09-1.2)]. Among 30 to 65 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 14% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.86 (0.81-0.9)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 21% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.79 (0.77-0.81)], past smokers were 6% less likely [RR = 0.94 (0.92-0.95)]. Jointly considering race, ethnicity, smoking status, Charlson score, and rurality, findings were similar for 21 to 29 year old; Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.73 (0.67-0.79)]; current smokers [RR = 0.9 (0.85-0.94)] and past smokers [RR = 1.12 (1.06-1.17)] were screened less than never smokers. For 30 to 65 year old, Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.83 (0.79-0.88)]; current smokers [RR = 0.8 (0.78-0.81)] and past smokers [RR = 0.95 (0.93-0.96)] were screened less than never smokers. Conclusions: Screening rates remained below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 79.2% over time, particularly for younger Black women and current smokers, with minimal use of primary HPV screening.