Sickle cell disease and readmissions rates after lower extremity arthroplasty: a multistate analysis 2007–2014

AIM: To compare readmission rates between patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and non-sickle cell disease undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA). METHODS: Identified adult patients who underwent THA or TKA from 2007 to 2014 in California, Florida, New York, Maryland and Kentucky using a multistate database. Outcomes were 30- and 90-day readmission rates, mortality, complications, length of stay and hospital charges. Logistic regression models were used for analysis. RESULTS: Compared with non-sickle cell disease patients following TKA and THA, SCD patients had higher odds of 30- (odds ratio [OR]: 3.79) and 90-day readmissions (OR: 4.15), mortality (OR: 6.54), more complications, longer length of stay, and higher total charges. CONCLUSION: Following TKA and THA, SCD is associated with higher readmissions and worse outcomes.