Obesity is associated with an increased risk of undergoing hip replacement in Australia

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a known risk factor for the development of hip osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether obesity is associated with the risk of undergoing total hip replacement (THR) in Australia. Methods: A cohort study was conducted comparing data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) from 2017 to 2018. Body mass index (BMI) data for patients undergoing primary total hip replacement and resurfacing for osteoarthritis were obtained from the AOANJRR. The distribution of THR patients by BMI category was compared to the general population, in age and sex sub-groups. Results: During the study period, 32 495 primary THR were performed for osteoarthritis in Australia. Compared to the general population, there was a higher prevalence of Class I, II and III obesity in patients undergoing THR in both sexes aged 35–74 years. Class III obese females and males aged 55–64 years were 2.9 and 1.7 times more likely to undergo THR, respectively (P < 0.001). Class III obese females and males underwent THR on average 5.7 and 7.0 years younger than their normal weight counterparts, respectively. Conclusion: Obese Australians are at increased risk of undergoing THR, and at a younger age.