Risk Factors For Total Joint Arthroplasty Infection In Patients Receiving Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Blockers: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess natural microbial agents, history and risk factors for total joint arthroplasty (TJA) infections in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha-blockers, through the French RATIO registry and a case-control study.Methods: Cases were TJA infections during TNF alpha-blocker treatments. Each case was compared to two controls (with TJA and TNF alpha-blocker therapy, but without TJA infection) matched on age (+/- 15 years), TJA localization, type of rheumatic disorder and disease duration (+/- 15 years). Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate analyses with conditional logistic regression.Results: In the 20 cases (18 rheumatoid arthritis), TJA infection concerned principally the knee (n = 12, 60%) and the hip (n = 5, 25%). Staphylococcus was the more frequent microorganism involved (n = 15, 75%). Four patients (20%) were hospitalized in an intensive care unit and two died from infection. Eight cases (40%) versus 5 controls (13%) had undergone primary TJA or TJA revision for the joint subsequently infected during the last year (P = 0.03). Of these procedures, 5 cases versus 1 control were performed without withdrawing TNF alpha-blockers (P = 0.08). In multivariate analysis, predictors of infection were primary TJA or TJA revision for the joint subsequently infected within the last year (odds ratio, OR = 88.3; 95%CI 1.1-7,071.6; P = 0.04) and increased daily steroid intake (OR = 5.0 per 5 mg/d increase; 1.1-21.6; P = 0.03). Case-control comparisons showed similar distribution between TNF alpha-blockers (P = 0.70).Conclusions: In patients receiving TNF alpha-blockers, TJA infection is rare but potentially severe. Important risk factors are primary TJA or TJA revision within the last year, particularly when TNF alpha-blockers are not interrupted before surgery, and the daily steroid intake.