New data documents the significant rise in THA procedures

Number of THA procedures significantly increased since 2000 (Healio)

Recently published data show the quantity of total hip arthroplasty procedures performed in 2010 represent a significant increase from the number performed in 2000.

“The projected increase in the number and rate of total hip replacements will place increased demands on all levels of the health care system,” Monica L. Wolford, MA, told Orthopedics Today. “Since artificial hips are expected to last between 15 [years] and 20 years before requiring revision, the combination of decreasing age at surgery and increasing life expectancy suggests an increase in hip replacement revision.”

National survey data

According to the National Hospital Discharge Survey, 326,100 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) in 2010 — an increase from approximately 151,300 in 2000. The increase in THA procedures ranged from 92% among patients 75 years of age and older to 205% in those 45 years to 54 years of age.

Most patients who underwent THA were 45 years of age or older (95%), according to the data. Among this population, the quantity of THA procedures performed increased from 138,700 in 2000 to 310,800 in 2010. In all age groups 45 years of age and older, increases in the incidence of THA were observed.

Differences by gender

“These trends in the 2001 to 2010 data are most pronounced for women. For women, mean age at total hip replacement declined from 68 to 66 from 2001 to 2010,” Wolford told Orthopedics Today. “The mean age for men did not change. During this period, the expected years of life after total hip replacement for women increased from 15.3 years in 2001 to 18.6 in 2010. Among men, the expected years of life after total hip replacement also increased from 16.2 years to 16.8.”

Of all THA procedures performed, increases in the number of procedures performed from 2000 to 2010 were seen among the 45-year-old to 54-year-old group (12% to 17%) and the 55-year-old to 64-year-old group (24% to 29%), whereas decreases were seen in patients aged 65 years to 74 years (34% to 28%) and 75 years of age or older (30% to 26%). Despite being lower than those of older patients, the rate of THAs per 100,000 people 45 years to 54 years of age increased from 45 procedures in 2000 to 117 procedures in 2010, according to the researchers.

“These surgeries will place increased demands on health care resources, especially since it is likely that the revisions will be conducted on older and frailer patients,” Wolford told Orthopedics Today. “Older patients have significantly longer average lengths of stay when hospitalized for THA.”

Average length of hospital stay for all patients 45 years of age and older who underwent THA decreased by approximately 1 day from 2000 to 2010. The lowest average hospital stay by age range in 2010 was 3 days in the 45-year-old to 54-year-old group, whereas the highest average hospital stay was 4 days in the 75 years and older age group. – by Christian Ingram

Reference:

Wolford ML, et al. NCHS Data Brief, No. 186. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

For more information:

Monica L. Wolford, MA, is with the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Health Care Statistics. Email: [email protected].