Thresholds for the Oxford Hip Score after total hip replacement surgery: a novel approach to postoperative evaluation

Nicolai Kjærgaard, Jonas B. Kjærsgaard, Christian L. Petersen, Michael U. Jensen, Mogens B. Laursen

This is a prospective cohort study to define the thresholds to distinguish patients with a satisfactory or unsatisfactory outcome after total hip replacement (THR) based on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), and using patient satisfaction and patient-perceived function as global transition items. The thresholds are intended to be used as a tool in the process of determining which patients are in need of postoperative outpatient evaluation. One hundred and three THR patients who had completed a preoperative questionnaire containing the OHS questionnaire were invited to complete the same questionnaire and supplementary questions at a mean of 6 (4-9) months after surgery. Correlations between outcome measures and anchors were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Thresholds were established by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, using multiple anchors. Significant correlations were found between outcome measures and anchors. Thresholds were determined for outcome measures coupled with satisfaction, patient-perceived function and a combination thereof using a cut-off of 50 and 70. We have established a set of thresholds for Oxford scores that may help determine which THR patients are in need of postoperative evaluation. These thresholds can be implemented in clinical practice. Level 3.