Outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty in systemic lupus erythematosus with a proximally-coated cementless stem

The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared to a cohort of osteonecrosis patients who did not have this disease. Between 2001 and 2008, 60 THAs in 44 SLE patients who had a mean age of 42. years (range, 18 to 87. years) and a mean follow-up of 7. years (range, 4 to 11. years) were evaluated. These SLE patients were compared to a cohort of 82 THAs in 70 osteonecrosis patients who did not have this disease. Outcomes evaluated included implant survivorship, Harris hip scores, complications, as well as radiographic results. There was no significant difference in implant survivorship (98% vs. 97.5%), Harris hip score (87 vs. 88 points) and complications (1.7% versus 2.4%) between the SLE and the comparison cohort. The authors believe that SLE does not negatively affect the outcomes of primary total hip arthroplasty at mid-term follow-up.