RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Prosthetic Joint Infection : Lessons From Deceased Patients in Critical Care.

This study is reviewing information from patients who were treated in critical care units between 2018 and 2022 and sadly passed away. These patients all had infections around their artificial joints (like a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement). By looking at their medical notes, such as their health information and test results, the researchers want to understand more about these serious infections. The goal is to learn how these infections affect very ill patients, how they were cared for, and what their journey was like. This information will also be combined with another study focusing on living patients with similar issues. Ultimately, the researchers hope their findings will help identify who is most at risk and lead to better ways to manage and treat these types of infections in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Enrolment target

150

Start

24 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

24 Sep 2026

Osteoarticular Infections Intensive Care Patients Prosthetic Joint Infection

What is this study about?

This research is looking back at the medical records of patients who were cared for in critical care units, such as intensive care or high dependency units, between 2018 and 2022. All these patients had a serious infection around an artificial joint, like a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement. Sadly, all the patients whose records are being reviewed in this particular part of the study passed away.

By carefully examining their anonymous health information, treatment plans, and test results, the researchers want to build a clearer picture of how these infections affect very sick patients. This includes understanding who gets them, how they progress, and the treatments they received. This study is also working alongside another larger study that focuses on living patients with similar artificial joint infections, to get a complete view. The aim is to gather as much knowledge as possible about these serious conditions.

The main goal is to improve our understanding of these infections and how they are handled in critical care. By learning from past experiences, the study hopes to identify specific groups of patients who might be more vulnerable to these infections. Ultimately, this could lead to better ways of preventing, diagnosing, and treating artificial joint infections, potentially improving care and outcomes for others in the future.

Key takeaways

This study reviews past medical records of patients who were in critical care.
It focuses on serious infections around artificial joints (like hips, knees, shoulders).
All patients whose records are used in this part of the study have sadly passed away.
The aim is to learn from past cases to improve future patient care.
No living patients are directly involved or asked to do anything for this study.
Data collected is anonymised to protect patient privacy.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at medical records of patients who were aged 18 or older at the time of their critical care stay. They must have been in a critical care unit (like intensive care) for at least two days between 2018 and 2022.

The main requirement for their records to be included is that they had an infection around an artificial joint (such as a hip, knee, or shoulder replacement) as a main or related diagnosis. Importantly, this specific part of the study only includes records of patients who have sadly passed away and had not previously said they didn't want their information used for research.

Records would not be included if the infection was in other types of surgical implants like plates or screws used for broken bones, or rods in the spine. Patients who had more than one infected artificial joint, or if the infection was a recurrence caused by the same bug as a previous infection, would also not be included. Records of patients under legal protection, who were pregnant or breastfeeding, or who were deprived of their liberty would also be excluded.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Was the patient aged 18 or older?
Was the patient in critical care for at least 2 days between 2018 and 2022?
Did the patient have an infection around an artificial hip, knee, or shoulder joint?
Did the patient sadly pass away?
Had the patient not previously refused their data being used for research?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are a patient or a loved one considering this study, it's important to understand that this research looks at information from medical records of patients who have already passed away. This means there are no new visits, assessments, medications, or follow-up appointments required for yourself or your loved one as part of this study. Your participation simply involves the use of existing, anonymised medical data. This study does not involve any direct patient contact or intervention.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study only uses information from existing medical records of patients who have already passed away, there are no direct risks or benefits to living individuals. The potential benefit is that the findings from reviewing these records could help doctors better understand serious artificial joint infections, identify patients at higher risk, and improve future care and treatment strategies. There is no direct way to withdraw consent as the data is retrospective and anonymised, but patients would only be included if they had not previously refused data processing for research during their lifetime.

Locations (1)

Hôpital Lariboisière
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of patients are included in this study?

This study looks at medical records of patients aged 18 or older who were in critical care between 2018 and 2022 with a serious infection around an artificial joint, and who have sadly passed away.

Will my or my loved one's identity be known?

No, the researchers use anonymised data. This means all personal details that could identify an individual are removed before the information is used for research.

Why are you looking at patients who have passed away?

By studying these records, researchers hope to gain valuable insights into how these severe infections affect the sickest patients and improve care for future patients.

Is this study only about artificial hip and knee infections?

It includes infections of artificial hips, knees, and shoulders, but not other surgical implants like those for broken bones.

What do the researchers hope to achieve?

The goal is to better understand these infections, identify who is most at risk, and develop improved ways to manage and treat them.

How to find out more

Benjamin SOYER, MD, Msc

benjamin.soyer@aphp.fr +33 1 49 95 85 15 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.