Researchers from the University of Bristol suggest that NHS assignment teams that have introduced restrictions on access to knee replacement surgery based on a patient’s weight or body mass index (BMI) have seen a reduction in surgery. The study found that with one in 10 people likely to need a knee replacement, many thousands of patients are directly affected by these policies. The rules have been bought over the last decade, but there are many regional differences. Our study raises concerns that these policies are linked to worsening health inequalities Dr. Joanna McLaughlin, lead author The research team analyzed knee replacement surgery rates in 481,555 patients between January 2009 and December 2019 using data from the National Register and compared areas with and without a BMI policy. They found that linking access to knee replacements based on the patient’s weight or BMI led to a reduction in surgery and possibly health inequalities in the postal code. The research team urges commissioners and policy makers to review restrictive policies that urgently affect access to selective surgery. Lead author Dr Joanna McLaughlin, of the University of Bristol, said: England. “Our study raises concerns that these policies are linked to worsening health inequalities with fewer NHS functions for the less affluent sections of society when policies are introduced.” An NHS spokesman said: “Patients and clinicians work together before surgery to optimize their chances of getting the best results, and in some cases, losing weight before surgery reduces the risk to patients and improves the chances. success of the operation. “The NHS is focusing on reducing waiting times for knee replacements, and overall, since the release of the electoral rehabilitation program in February, the number of people waiting more than two years for treatment has dropped by two-thirds.” The study is published in the journal PLOS One.
