Quality of Life and Functional Outcome after Total Hip Arthroplasty

The assessment method of result of surgeries has changed to self-evaluation. Health outcome should be measured by valid and standardized tools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of total hip arthroplasty (THA) on the quality of life of Iranian patients. In this cross sectional study, the obtained data of 220 patients underwent total hip arthroplasty because of hip joint osteoarthritis in Baqhiatallah University hospitals, Tehran and Kashani hospital, Isfahan from 1995 to 2005 with 220 patients of the same age group admitted in hospitals and orthopedic clinics because of hip joint osteoarthritis without arthroplasty were compared. The tools of obtaining data were “Short form of general health status” (SF-36), “The disease specific symptom (WOMAC)” Questionnaire, and the “Arthritis patient preference disability” Questionnaire. Respectively, mean scores of SF-36 and WOMAC questionnaires were 53.07 ± 18.43 and 63.02 ± 17.42 for case group and 81.3 ± 16.31 and 42.53 ± 18.73, for control group. The scores obtained from these two questionnaires showed 23.3% improvement in general health status and 18.1% improvement in specific symptom of the disease in case group. The two groups had a significant difference considering these two parameters (P < 0.001). The SF-36 questionnaire showed improvement in life quality in eight aspects of physical performance, physical limitation, physical pain, general health, liveliness, social performance, psychological problems, and psychological health. Total hip arthroplasty improve general health, social performance and physical function and decrease pain and physical limitation of Iranian patients.