Massive medicare study aims to improve joint replacement safety
NCT ID NCT02281747
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 02, 2026 · Updated 8 times
Summary
This study looks at records from over 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis who had major orthopedic procedures like joint replacements or spine surgery between 1999 and 2015. Researchers want to understand how often complications happen and whether care has improved over time. The goal is to find ways to reduce risks and improve outcomes for people undergoing these surgeries.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could identify ways to improve care before and after orthopedic surgeries, potentially reducing complications and improving outcomes for people with arthritis.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study using existing data, not a clinical trial testing a new treatment. It cannot prove cause and effect, and findings may not apply to all patient groups.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
-
521,292 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Oct 2014
- Expected to finish
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May 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Medicare (1999 to 2015) and Medicaid (1999 to 2015) beneficiaries
- Ages
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20 to 100 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* Subjects will be either Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries with available claims from 1999 to 2015. For projects requiring detailed medication information, inclusion will be limited to those with Part D claims from 2006 to 2015. Eligibility for each project will be based on claims for the appropriate disease (e.g. RA) or procedure (e.g. hip arthroplasty). Medicare beneficiaries will be excluded (or censored) if they do not have both Part A and Part B coverage, or enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), as detailed claims for these beneficiaries are not available. We will also exclude dual-eligible (Medicare and Medicaid recipients) as these subjects have distinct clinical conditions (e.g. blindness) that distinguishes them from most Medicare beneficiaries. There will be no exclusions based on gender, race, ethnicity, or cognitive impairment.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), 9
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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