A Pilot Study Using a Standardized Method of Measuring Distress Demonstrates Higher Levels in Septic Revisions

Combined Orthopaedic Infectious Disease clinics facilitate care for prosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients similar to multidisciplinary care in cancer centers. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) developed a standardized Distress Thermometer (DT) to measure distress in cancer patients. We propose using this tool to assess distress in PJI patients. In this pilot study, a retrospective review of patients treated in our combined clinic over two years was conducted. In addition to providing information surrounding their treatment, patients completed a questionnaire and DT, adapted with permission from the NCCN. DT scores were compared to a chronologically collected matched aseptic control group. There were 122 patients in the septic group and 40 patients in the aseptic group. On a scale of 0-10 (10 the highest level of distress), the septic group reported a mean DT score of 6.18 (±3.2) which was significantly higher than the aseptic mean score of 3.33 (±2.06) [p