Clinical and Demographic Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life After Orthopedic Surgery With Implant Placement

Background: Orthopedic surgeries can rehabilitate injuries and at the same time improve the patients' quality of life. The study aimed to assess patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) six months after an orthopedic surgery with implant placement. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study with the use of a structured questionnaire among 103 patients was conducted. The 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used to evaluate patients' quality of life. Results: According to the findings of the multivariate linear regression analysis, low age, marital status (married in comparison to unmarried/divorcees/widows), reduced intensity of the pain, and low educational attainment were associated with a better quality of life. Furthermore, the patients who were living with another person and the patients who underwent surgery on a part of the body other than the hip presented better quality of life. The results of the multivariate analysis explained 33%-67% of the variance of the SF-36 HRQOL. Conclusion: Measuring quality of life is a valuable asset that helps to reveal the frail patient groups, in which health professionals will prioritize their care and the state in turn will design primary care services to meet their needs after discharge from the hospital.