Purpose. To evaluate the effect of preoperative comorbidity status (defined by the Deyo index) on hospital mortality, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs for shoulder arthroplasty patients. Methods. The overall mean hospital mortality and postoperative complication rates, and length of hospital stay and hospital costs stratified by the Deyo score were compared using the Pearson Chi squared test and the F-test, respectively. The effects of the Deyo score on hospital mortality and postoperative complications were estimated using multiple logistic regression. The length of hospital stay and hospital costs were estimated using multiple linear regression. The magnitude of the estimated effects of the Deyo score on the 4 outcomes were expressed as crude odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted ORs for age, race, gender, surgeon volume, and hospital volume. Results. Higher Deyo scores tended to be associated with higher hospital mortality, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and hospital costs. Compared with the referent group (Deyo score=0), patients with the highest Deyo scores (5–36) exhibited adjusted ORs of 11.8 for hospital mortality (p=0.011) and 1.1 for developing postoperative complications (p=0.098), and had the highest length of hospital stay (mean, 4.1 days) and hospital costs (mean, US$18 549). Conclusion. The Deyo score was a predictor of outcomes and costs in the shoulder arthroplasty population. By identifying relevant factors, health care providers can better determine who should be referred for shoulder arthroplasty and what should be considered when assessing risks and benefits.
