Correlation between the upregulation of circulating FABP4 and prognosis of joint replacement in patients with osteoarthritis

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the potential significance of FABP4 in predicting prognosis following total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Method This study selected patients undergoing THA/TKA aged >18 years who were hospitalized in Anqing First People’s Hospital of Anhui Medical University. A total of 400 patients and 100 healthy subjects were finally included. Based on the results of 90-day follow-up data were included in the complication group, otherwise, they were classified as the no complications group. The demographic and clinical data of the two groups were compared, and the clinical characteristics and risk factors of local complications within 90 days of TKA/THA were evaluated. Results FABP4 concentration (odds ratio (OR)=1.521 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.190–1.944, P =0.001), ASA class (OR=0.064 95% CI=0.005–0.811, P =0.034) and estimated intraoperative blood loss (OR=1.070, 95% CI=1.008–1.135, P=0.027) were found to be predictors of 90-Day Local Complications. Conclusions Higher FABP4 concentration is very common in patients with adverse events occurring locally within the 90 days of TKA/THA and the prevalence of adverse events occurring locally within the 90 days of TKA/THA was higher in patients combined with higher FABP4 concentration, higher ASA class or EIBL. FABP4 concentration, ASA class and EIBL are risk factors for the development of adverse events occurring locally within the 90 days of TKA/THA, but validation in larger sample studies is still needed.