The use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs does not increase surgical site infection or delayed wound healing after orthopaedic surgeries for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on surgical site infection (SSI) and delayed wound healing (DWH) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 965 elective orthopaedic procedures undertaken in RA patients. The incidences of SSI and DWH were compared between the bDMARDs user and nonuser groups. Subsequently, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for SSI and DWH after propensity score matching. The incidence of postoperative flare-up was also examined.

RESULTS

In 965 procedures, SSI and DWH were identified in 12 and 28 cases, respectively. SSI and DWH were identified in 3 and 17 of 414 procedures treated with bDMARDs, respectively. Flare-up occurred in 21 cases. Propensity score matching identified 315 cases in both groups, with no significant difference in incidence between the two groups. No risk factors for SSI were identified, whereas age, diabetes mellitus, foot and ankle surgery, and a history of musculoskeletal-related infection were identified as risk factors for DWH.

CONCLUSION

The use of bDMARDs was not associated with an increased incidence of SSI or DWH, with the incidence of flare-up being relatively low.