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Evidence summaries

Health-Related Quality of Life after Total Hip Replacement

Total hip replacement often leads to dramatic improvements in the quality of life. Level of evidence: "A"

A systematic review 1 including 20 studies was abstracted in DARE. There were 11 prospective (n=793), 7 retrospective (n=2267) studies, 1 cross-sectional (n=212) and 1 retrospective study with prospective component (n=90).

All the reviewed studies showed improvement in health-related quality of life. Improvement most often occurs within the first 3 to 6 months after total hip replacement, although some physical measures take longer.

Comment: The quality of evidence is upgraded by large magnitude of effect and strengths in study methodology (interrupted time series in the prospective studies).

References

  • Towheed TE, Hochberg MC. Health-related quality of life after total hip replacement. Arthritis Rheum 1996;26:483-491. [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords