Differences in outcome between Maori and Caucasian patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE To compare differences in outcome between Maori and Caucasian patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. METHODS 45 men and 45 women aged 43 to 87 years who underwent total hip (n=54) or total knee (n=36) arthroplasties by a single surgeon and were followed up for at least one year were prospectively studied. Patients were classified according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score. Preoperative comorbidity, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and pre- and post-operative outcomes in the 2 groups were compared. RESULTS Maori patients were more likely than Caucasian patients to be obese (body mass index of >30 kg/m square) [37% vs. 15%], diabetic (15% vs. 5%), and smokers (32% vs. 13%). Postoperative complication rates and the lengths of hospital stay in the 2 groups were not significantly different. The ASA score correlated positively with the length of hospital stay; higher ASA scores predicted more prolonged recovery. CONCLUSION Maori patients were more likely than Caucasian patients to have preoperative comorbidities, but their postoperative length of hospital stay and complication rates were not significantly different.