Risk factors for periprosthetic joint infections

Periprosthetic joint infection is one of the complications developing after surgical implantation of the prosthetic joint. Combined with ageing of society, number of arthroplasties will grow. Knowledge of risk factors of PJIs (periprosthetic joint infections) is essential for surgeons performing such interventions. There are many groups of risk factors. Patient’s race does not clearly predispose to developing PJIs. Age is not a key factor of occurrence of PJIs. Sex of patient plays important role (more PJIs in male patients )when there are no additional risk factors such as comorbidities – in that case females are suffering from PJIs more often. Alcohol intake is not clearly correlated with increased risk of PJIs while tobacco smoking and higher BMI increased that risk significantly. Cardiovascular, pulmonary tract, renal, gastrointestinal, rheumatological and oncological diseases are important PJIs risk factors as well as as diabetes, immunosuppression, preoperative infection and depression. Such complications are also bond with higher ASA score, some of the lab test results. Last group of risk factors is related with treatment – complications during surgery, other conditions like hypothermia, longer hospital stay, blood transfusion and reoperations. It is vital to acknowledge these risk factors and manage to remove these related to surgeon while encouraging patient to deal with these related to him.