Is Hypoalbuminemia Associated With Septic Failure and Acute Infection After Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty? A Study of 4517 Patients From the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Abstract Introduction Several studies have suggested that malnutrition may be associated with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). However, strong evidence for this association is lacking. The purpose of the present study is to ask, Is the proportion of patients with hypoalbuminemia (a proxy for malnutrition) higher among patients with a septic indication for revision TJA than patients with an aseptic indication for revision TJA? Secondly, among patients undergoing revision TJA for an aseptic indication, is hypoalbuminemia predictive of subsequent early postoperative PJI? Methods Patients undergoing revision total hip or knee arthroplasty were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as serum albumin