Single, Recurrent, Synchronous, and Metachronous Periprosthetic Joint Infections in Patients With Multiple Hip and Knee Arthroplasties

Background: The rate for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) exceeds 1% for primary arthroplasties. Over 30% of patients who have a primary arthroplasty require an additional arthroplasty, and the impact of PJI on this population is understudied. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of recurrent, synchronous, and metachronous PJI in patients who had multiple arthroplasties and to identify risk factors for a subsequent PJI. Methods: We identified 337 patients who had multiple arthroplasties and at least 1 PJI that presented between 2003 and 2021. The mean follow-up after revision arthroplasty was 3 years (range, 0 to 17.2). Patients who had multiple infected prostheses were categorized as synchronous (ie, presenting at the same time as the initial infection) or metachronous (ie, presenting at a different time as the initial infection). The PJI diagnosis was made using the MusculoSkeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. Results: There were 39 (12%) patients who experienced recurrent PJI in the same joint, while 31 (9%) patients developed PJI in another joint. Positive blood cultures were more likely in the second joint PJI (48%) compared to recurrent PJI (23%) or a single PJI (15%, P <.001). Synchronous PJI represented 42% of the second joint PJI cases (n <1/4> 13), while metachronous PJI represented 58% (n 1/4 18). Tobacco users had 75% higher odds of metachronous PJI (odds ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.9, P 1/4 .041). Conclusion: Over 20% of the patients with multiple arthroplasties and a single PJI will develop a subsequent PJI in another arthroplasty with 12% recurring in the initial arthroplasty and nearly 10% ocurring in another arthroplasty. Particular caution should be taken in patients who use tobacco, have bacteremia, or have Staphylococcus aureus isolation at time of their initial PJI. Optimizing the management of this high-risk patient population is necessary to reduce the additional burden of subsequent PJI. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study assessed the prevalence of recurrent, synchronous, and metachronous periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients who had multiple arthroplasties and identified risk factors for a subsequent PJI. The results showed that over 20% of patients with multiple arthroplasties and a single PJI will develop a subsequent PJI, with 12% recurring in the initial arthroplasty and nearly 10% occurring in another arthroplasty. Tobacco use, bacteremia, and Staphylococcus aureus isolation at the time of the initial PJI were identified as particular risk factors.