This is an early access version
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Department of surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Institute of physical medicine, rehabilitation and orthopedic surgery ''Dr Miroslav Zotović'' Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
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District Hospital Gunzburg,Department od Traumatology and reconstructive surgery , Gunzburg , Germany
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Faculty of Health Sciences, Pan-European University Apeiron Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department of orthopedic surgery, Institute of Physical medicine, Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Surgery ‘’ Dr Miroslav Zotović ‘’ Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Special Surgical Hospital ‘’Dr Kostić’’ Banja Luka , Banja Luka , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department of Anesthesiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden
Department of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg
Introduction: Environmental factors may influence postoperative outcomes and quality of life following total hip replacement (THR). This study investigated the impact of the geographical location of the surgical site, as well as the patient’s place of birth and residence, on treatment outcomes in individuals with artificial hips.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted involving 280 patients (both genderes; mean age 62 ± 8.8 years) who underwent THR due to primary or secondary hip osteoarthritis. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 64) included individuals who were not operated on in their place of birth and residence, while Group B (n = 216) consisted of those who were born, resided, and underwent surgery in the same geographical location. Outcomes were assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire (covering mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and a VAS-based treatment satisfaction scale, administered preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05).
Results: Only 22.9% of all patients underwent surgery in their place of birth and residence, mostly for primary hip osteoarthritis. Preoperatively, Group A reported significantly greater limitations in self-care (p < 0.05). One year postoperatively, Group B showed significantly higher VAS scores for treatment satisfaction (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Patients who underwent total hip replacement in their place of birth and residence demonstrated better postoperative outcomes compared to those who had relocated.
Keywords: arthroplasty; immigrants; quality of life
Conceptualization, S.M. and F.K.; Investigation, S.M., D.D., Z.J., M.M. and F.K.; Methodology, S.M., N.M., Z.J. and F.K.; Supervision, S.M. and D.D.; Validation, S.M. and N.M.; Writing – original draft, S.M., D.D., Z.J., M.M. and F.K.; Writing – review & editing, S.M. and M.M.; Software, N.M. and F.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
There is no conflict of interest on the part of any author or institution in conducting the study and publishing its results.
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