Obesity Linked to Higher Complications and Longer Recovery in Joint Replacement Surgery: Study Finds

Pakistan: A recent comparative study has shed light on the significant impact of obesity on joint replacement surgery outcomes. The findings revealed that obesity significantly worsened postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing joint replacement surgery (OR: 2.40).

“Patients with a BMI over 30 kg/m² had a higher prevalence of severe osteoarthritis (45% vs. 27%), required longer hospital stays (7.6 vs. 5.4 days), and faced nearly triple the risk of surgical site infections,” the researchers reported. The results, published in the journal Cureus, highlight the importance of careful surgical planning and enhanced postoperative care for obese patients to improve recovery and reduce complications.

The researchers note that joint replacement surgery is a common procedure aimed at restoring function and alleviating pain in patients with severe arthritis or joint damage. However, a patient’s weight plays a crucial role in surgical outcomes. Excess body weight adds stress to the joints and affects the healing process after surgery. Obesity further complicates the procedure, leading to increased surgical challenges, delayed recovery, and less favorable outcomes.

Against the above background, Abdul Rahman, Orthopaedic Surgery Unit One, Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, PAK, and colleagues seek to evaluate how obesity affects postoperative outcomes in joint replacement surgery by comparing outcomes between obese and non-obese patients.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a prospective observational study from January 2022 to December 2023, including 186 patients—93 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) and 93 non-obese (BMI < 30 kg/m²). They collected data on postoperative complications, mobility, pain scores, comorbidities, and demographics. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25.0, and multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify independent predictors of adverse outcomes.

The study led to the following findings:

  • The average BMI was significantly higher in obese patients (34.8 vs. 24.6 kg/m²).
  • Severe osteoarthritis was more common in obese patients (45.16% vs. 26.88%).
  • Obese patients had longer hospital stays (7.6 vs. 5.4 days).
  • Postoperative complications, including surgical site infections, were more frequent in obese patients (11.83% vs. 4.30%).
  • Obesity was identified as an independent predictor of poor postoperative outcomes (OR: 2.40).

The findings revealed that obese patients experienced higher rates of postoperative complications, greater pain, reduced mobility, and longer hospital stays, underscoring the significant negative impact of obesity on joint replacement outcomes. Obesity, along with diabetes mellitus and poor preoperative mobility, emerged as an independent predictor of adverse postoperative results, including a higher risk of surgical site infections, delayed wound healing, prosthetic loosening, and revision surgery.

“These findings highlight the need for personalized preoperative assessments, optimized perioperative care, and targeted rehabilitation strategies to improve surgical outcomes and enhance long-term recovery in obese patients.” the authors concluded.

Reference:

Rahman A, Abid Hasan H, Ali R, et al. (March 15, 2025) Impact of Obesity on Joint Replacement Surgery Outcomes: A Comparative Study. Cureus 17(3): e80623. doi:10.7759/cureus.80623

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Govt Issues Export Guidelines for Doxycycline 100 mg Dispersible Tablets

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued Public Notice No. 03/2025-26 dated April 24, 2025, formally notifying a new Standard Input Output Norm (SION) under the Chemicals & Allied Products (Product Group A) for Doxycycline 100 mg Dispersible Tablets.

The SION, now listed under serial number A-3685, has been introduced to streamline export processes and establish standardized input-output parameters for the formulation. The notice has been issued in exercise of powers conferred under Paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, as amended from time to time.

Key Inputs and Output Norms as per DGFT SION A-3685:

Export Product

Qty.

Sl. No.

Import Items

Qty. allowed.

Doxycycline 100 mg. Dispersible Tablets (Eq. to Anhydrous Doxycycline 100 mg.)

1 Number Tablet

I

Doxycycline Monohydrate U.S.P/B.P

106.13 mg.

According to the DGFT notification, “The following Standard Input Output Norms (SION) is included in the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 under Appendix 4B, as under:”

The SION is likely to boost competitiveness for Indian exporters catering to global antibiotic markets, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where demand for affordable dispersible antibiotic tablets remains strong.

The notification has come into immediate effect from the date of issue.

To view the official DGFT public notice, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/pn-3-english-285021.pdf

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Parents with alcohol-related diagnoses are twice as likely to maltreat children, researchers find

A new systematic review has found that parents and other child caregivers who have alcohol-related diagnoses are twice as likely to maltreat children in their care than parents and caregivers with no alcohol-related diagnoses. The review is published in Addiction.

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Broader antibiotic use could change the course of cholera outbreaks

Cholera kills thousands of people and infects hundreds of thousands every year—and cases have spiked in recent years, leaving governments with an urgent need to find the best ways to control outbreaks.

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SUVs pose greater risk of death or serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists, study shows

The likelihood of a pedestrian or cyclist being fatally injured is 44% higher if they are hit by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) or light truck vehicle (LTV) compared with smaller passenger cars, new research shows. For children there is an even larger effect, with a child hit by an SUV or LTV being 82% more likely to be killed than a child hit by a passenger car.

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Too few ward nurses linked to longer hospital stay, readmission, and risk of death

Employing too few permanent nurses on hospital wards is linked to longer inpatient stays, readmissions, patient deaths, and ultimately costs more in lives and money, finds a long-term study published online in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety.

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Exercise can counter detrimental effects of cancer treatment, review suggests

Exercise can counter the detrimental effects of cancer treatment, such as heart and nerve damage and brain fog, suggests an overarching review of the existing pooled data analyses of the most recent research, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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NBE Invites Applications for Diploma Final Exams June 2025, details

New Delhi- Through a notice, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has invited online applications for the NBEMS Diploma Final Examination June 2025.

As per the notice, NBEMS is going to conduct the NBEMS Diploma Final Theory Examination – June 2025 on 09th, 10th and 11th June 2025 on a computer-based platform at various examination centres across the country.

On this, the online submission of the application form for the theory and practical exam and practical exam only will be available from today, i.e., April 30, 2025, 03:00 PM to May 20, 2025, 11:55 PM on the official website of NBEMS.

Also Read: FMGE June 2025 Registration Live: Fee, Payment guidelines Explained

The information bulletin will also be available from today, i.e., April 30, 2025, 03:00 PM, on the official website of NBEMS for the candidates willing to appear for the NBEMS Diploma Final Examination June 2025. The information bulletin will contain important details such as eligibility, exam scheme, schedule, application process, fees, etc.

STEPS TO FILL OUT THE NBEMS DIPLOMA FINAL EXAM JUNE APPLICATION FORM 2025

STEP 1- Visit the official NBE website.

STEP 2- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.

STEP 3- Fill out the application form with personal, academic, and contact details.

STEP 4- Upload required documents such as a passport-size photograph, signature, and degree certificates.

STEP 5- Pay the application fee online.

STEP 6- Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.

The National Board of Examinations (NBE) was established in 1975 in New Delhi. It is an autonomous entity within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. NBE conducts a few examinations, such as DNB final (exit) examinations, Fellowship Entrance and Exit examinations, NEET-SS for admission to DM/Mch/DrNB superspecialty medical courses across India, etc.

To view the notice, click the link below

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/nbe-invites-applications-for-diploma-final-exam-june-2025jpg-284994.pdf

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Cabinet to decide on Free MRIs at all Delhi Govt Hospitals

New Delhi: In a bid to strengthen health infrastructure, the Delhi government is expected to decide on key proposals in a meeting scheduled on Tuesday, including outsourcing of staff through PSUs and installing MRI machines in hospitals under a PPP model, official sources said.

The proposals will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, scheduled for 12 noon, they said, news agency PTI reported.

The Health Department seeks to centralise the outsourcing of staff required for documentation and other formalities at government hospitals and other health facilities of the government by roping in public sector undertakings (PSUs), they said.

Also Read:Ayushman Vay Vandana: Delhi launches Rs 10 lakh health cover for Senior Citizens

Presently, the hospitals and other facilities like clinics hire these personnel through private placement entities, said an official.

The other proposal is regarding the installation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines through a public-private partnership to meet the growing demand for such crucial scans, he said.

There is a shortage of MRI machines in government hospitals, which needs to be immediately addressed to ensure that patients are not forced to get these tests done from expensive private facilities, he added, reports PTI.

As per a media report in the TOI, “Referring patients to a doctor in OPD or admitting them to hospital for treatment requires a lot of details from the kin and documentation to ensure they get the benefits of all schemes as per their eligibility. The govt has thus decided to engage a public sector undertaking to provide manpower for the purpose,” said an official, requesting anonymity.

“We will begin the process of engaging a company to provide manpower as soon as the cabinet accords approval to the proposal,” the official added. There are 39 state-run hospitals in the capital. 

Also Read:Shortage of Senior, Junior Residents at Delhi AIIMS: MoS Health informs Parliament

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Ragging at Pune’s BJ Medical College: Orthopaedics PG medicos Suspended, expelled from hostel

Pune: Taking disciplinary action, BJ Medical College, Pune, has suspended three second-year postgraduate students from the Orthopaedics Department and evicted them from the hostel for allegedly ragging juniors.

The action followed a formal complaint received by the college on Monday, alleging that the second-year PG students had subjected four juniors to mental and physical harassment, including the use of threatening language. A committee was promptly formed to investigate the allegations

Speaking to PTI on the incident, an official from the medical college said, “Three postgraduate students of the state-run BJ Medical College in Pune have been suspended and removed from their hostel for allegedly ragging junior doctors.”

The college took action after it received a complaint against three second-year PG students from the Orthopaedic Department, said Dr Eknath Pawar, dean of the medical college, which is attached to the Sassoon General Hospital.

Also Read:KMCRI ragging: 5 MBBS students suspended for forcing juniors to attend classes as proxies

Sources in the medical college told PTI that the accused targeted four junior medical students from their department. They allegedly harassed the juniors mentally, sometimes physically, and even used intimidating language, said the sources.

“The parents of the students first approached Mantralaya (state secretariat) in Mumbai. On Monday, the college authorities received a complaint. We formed a committee to investigate the matter. Based on the findings, three PG students were suspended and removed from their hostel,” said Pawar.

A probe is underway, he added.

Also Read:GMC Nagarkurnool 3 MBBS students suspended for ragging

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported taking cognisance of a ragging complaint, the Government Medical College (GMC), Nagarkurnool suspended three senior MBBS students for allegedly physically harassing, beating and slapping a first-year junior student in a hostel room. An FIR had also been registered against the accused in connection with the case.

Among the three, one student (Third year) had been suspended for three months, who was reported to be the main culprit, while the other two (Second year) received suspensions of one month.

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