18A169

Peri-operative management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients undergoing arthroplasty

Author(s)

Kieran Murray, Tristan Cassidy, Candice Low, Francis Young, Douglas Veale

Department(s)/Institutions

Bone and Joint Unit, Saint Vincent's University Hospital Orthopaedics, Beaumont Hospital

Introduction

Immunosuppression, surgical complexities and atlanto-axial subluxation can complicate arthroplasty in RA. Management guidelines differ significantly.

Aims/Background

To compare peri-operative RA management between rheumatologists and orthopaedists.

Method

An anonymous 24 question survey was distributed at the Irish Society of Rheumatology meeting and the Irish Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery Curriculum Day, examining imaging and prescribing in these patients.

Results

33 orthopaedists and 23 rheumatologists responded.

Orthopaedists
22 always perform cervical spine imaging prior to arthroplasty in patients undergoing a general anaesthetic (10 sometimes, 1 not sure). 31 perform X-rays, 1 MRI and 1 CT.
7 never stop steroids pre-operatively (13 sometimes, 6 always, 5 unsure). 9 never increase steroids (13 sometimes, 6 always, 5 not sure). 1 never stops synthetic DMARDs (sDMARDs). 19 never discontinue methotrexate (5 respondents unsure). For other sDMARDs (leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, sulfasalazine and ciclosporin), a minority (range 3-5 for the different medications) never discontinue. Many (range 11-17) were unsure. 8 stop sDMARDs at 1 week pre-operatively, 13 at 2 weeks, 5 at 4 weeks. 6 were unsure. 19 restart sDMARDs at 2 weeks post-operatively.
2 never stop biologic DMARDs (etanercept, golimumab, adalimumab, infliximab, certolizumab, tocilizumab, rituximab and abaptacept). Depending on the medication, 14-15 stop 8 weeks. 10-12 unsure.
Rheumatologists
11 always perform cervical spine imaging (11 sometimes, 1 never). 22 perform X-rays, 1 MRI. 14 never stop steroids (8 sometimes, 1 not sure). 12 respondents sometimes increase steroid dosing (8 always, 1 never, 1 not sure, 1 no answer).
8 never stop methotrexate/leflunomide. 20 never stop hydroxychloroquine and 14 sulfasalazine. Ciclosporin and azathioprine are never stopped by 5 and 9 respectively. 8 don’t stop sDMARDs, 8 stop 2 weeks pre-operatively, 6 at 1 week, 1 no answer. 9 restart sDMARDs at 2 weeks, 5 at 1 week, 1 at 4 weeks.
2-4 never stop bDMARDs pre-operatively. Responses vary medication half-life. For example, 18 hold etanercept for 8 weeks.

Conclusions

There is a high degree of uncertainty and contrasting practices between rheumatologists and orthopaedists. Unified guidelines may facilitate increased agreement.