Influence of Body Bass Index (BMI) on post-operative Opioid Requirements in Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty Patients.

Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether an association exists between body mass index (BMI) category and post-operative opioid requirements among primary total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all primary unilateral total hip and total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA, respectively) cases performed over a two-year period. We evaluated whether a relationship exists between five BMI categories (≤24.9, 25-29.9, 30-34.9, 35-39.9, ≥40) and morphine milligram equivalent (MME) use for total in-hospital, daily in-hospital, and total during six weeks post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included relationship with length of stay, discharge location, opioid refill rate, and pre-operative opioid usage.
Results: For all patients undergoing primary TJA, increasing BMI resulted in an incremental increase in post-operative total in-hospital MME use for each successive BMI category when compared to those with BMI ≤24.9 (p < 0.05). This association held true for the THA subset. Within the cohort as a whole, higher categories of BMI were associated with increased length of stay (35-39.9, ≥40), higher odds of needing a refill (30-34.9, 35-39.9, ≥40), and higher odds of discharging to a rehab facility (25-29.9, ≥40) (p < 0.05). There was an increasing proportion of pre-operative opioid use as BMI category increased (p < 0.0001).
Discussion/conclusion: BMI category is associated with increased in-hospital opioid requirements among primary TJA patients. Such findings are an important step to better understanding pain control expectations and can help facilitate development of opioid reduction strategies.
Competing Interests: None.
(© 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundation.)