• Cédric Baumann, Anne-Christine Rat, Didier Mainard, Christian Cuny, and Francis Guillemin.
• Nancy-Université, Université Paul Verlaine Metz, Université Paris Descartes, EA 4360 Apemac, Nancy, France.
• Qual Life Res. 2011 Dec 1;20(10):1581-8.

PurposeAfter previous results observed with a generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, we aimed to confirm that immediate postoperative patient satisfaction with care predicts self-perceived health 1 year after total hip replacement/total knee replacement (THR/TKR), using an osteoarthritis (OA)-specific HRQoL questionnaire.MethodsThis was a French multicenter prospective cohort study of patients after THR/TKR. HRQoL was assessed by the OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality Of Life (OAKHQOL) instrument before and after surgery and satisfaction with care by the Quality of Care Scale (QCS).ResultsA total of 189 patients were followed up 12 months after discharge (mean age 68.9 SD = 8.5; 41.9% male). After adjustment for relevant variables, patients satisfied with care postoperatively showed greater 1-year postoperative HRQOL than those less satisfied with care. Patients satisfied with medical information had a higher postoperative HRQoL score than patients less satisfied in 3 of 5 OAKHQOL dimensions (P < 0.001 to P = 0.02), and patients satisfied with relationships with staff and daily routine scored higher on all HRQoL dimensions than did less-satisfied patients (all P < 0.001).ConclusionsThese new findings with an OA-specific HRQOL questionnaire confirm that immediate postoperative satisfaction with care after THR/TKR for OA is a good predictor of self-perceived health status 1 year after surgery. Satisfaction with care therefore represents a relevant indicator of patient-reported health and is quickly accessible to clinicians.

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