Preoperative Serum C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio Is a Predictor of Complications After Single-stage Revision for the Treatment of Periprosthetic Joint Infection.

BACKGROUND

The C-reactive protein/albumin ratio (CAR) is a marker of inflammation that has been associated with negative outcomes in the general surgery. This study investigates the potential association of preoperative CAR with postoperative complications and readmission rates in the treatment of patients with single-stage revision total joint arthroplasty for periprosthetic joint infection.

METHODS

A total of 213 consecutive patients who had undergone single-stage revision for total joint arthroplasty with the preoperative diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection and preoperative C-reactive protein and albumin values were included. The area under receiver operating characteristic curves was calculated to evaluate the CAR as a predictive value for the complications.

RESULTS

Significant differences between the mean CAR were found for patients with 30- and 60-day readmissions and reinfection (P < 0.01). CAR combined with serum and synovial fluid markers demonstrated significantly higher sensitivities and specificities for the prediction of 30-day (total knee arthroplasty [TKA]: 94%; 95%; total hip arthroplasty [THA]: 91%; 96%) and 60-day readmissions (THA: 94%; 95%; TKA: 92%; 96%) and reinfections (TKA: 94%; 95%; THA: 87%; 96%), when compared with only serum and synovial fluid markers combined (83%; 84%; 85%; 87%; 85%; 88%; P <0.01).

DISCUSSION

High preoperative CAR, when combined with serum and synovial fluid markers, was associated with increased risk of reinfection and 30- and 60-day readmissions, suggesting that preoperative CAR is a clinically useful predictor for postoperative complications in patients with periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections.