Abstract
BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a state resulting from lack of intake or uptake of nutrition. Investigating the association between malnutrition and postoperative complications is essential for enhancing patient outcomes in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of malnutrition on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) and periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) following TJA. METHODS: The data were searched from databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library inception through July 19 2023, without time restrictions. Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining malnutrition as a risk factor for SSIs and PJIs postarthroplasty, providing sufficient data for calculating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle‒Ottawa Scale, and statistical analyses were executed in Stata version 17. RESULTS: A total of 1,025 articles were screened, and 9 studies satisfying the predefined inclusion criteria were consequently selected for this meta-analysis. Studies indicated that malnutrition is significant factor to the heightened incidence of both SSIs and PJIs following TJA procedures. Our pooled results yielded aggregated ORs of 2.60 for SSIs and 3.44 for PJIs, with respective 95% CIs of 2.10-3.10 and 2.35-4.53. The heterogeneity of malnutrition as a risk factor for postoperative SSI was I2 = 0.0% (p = 0.592), and for PJI was I2 = 0.0% (p = 0.422). Egger's linear regression test showed no significant publication bias (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is a significant risk factor for SSIs and potentially PJIs in patients undergoing TJA. Preoperative optimization strategies targeted at malnourished patients are suggested to minimize postoperative complications clinically.