The effect of allergies on outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty: A national database analysis of 154,478 patients

Abstract

Background The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of allergies on complications following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Materials and Methods All data were collected by using the PearlDiver national database to identify patients who had undergone TSA (anatomic or reverse) between 1 January 2010 and 31 October 2021. Patients were stratified into two groups: allergies and no allergies. Comparisons were made regarding complications and revision surgeries. Complications were compared at 30 and 90 days. Revisions were compared at 1, 5 and 10 years postoperatively. Results This study identified 28,182 patients with allergies and 126,296 patients without allergies. Patients with allergies were more likely to require revision surgery at all time points analyzed (p < 0.001). Patients with allergies were more likely to have sepsis within 30 (OR 1.53 [1.30–1.80], p < 0.001) and 90 days (1.71 [1.51–1.94], p < 0.001) postoperatively. Patients with allergies were more likely to experience a wound complication within 30 (1.89 [1.58–2.26], p < 0.001) and 90 days (1.81 [1.58–2.08], p < 0.001). The allergy group experienced higher rates of prosthetic joint infections (PJI) (2.14 [1.81–2.54], p < 0.001) and implant complications at 90 days (1.52 [1.42–1.62], p < 0.001). Discussion Patients with allergies were more likely to require revision surgery, experience wound complications, sepsis and PJI following TSA.