Increased Complications for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty

Although it has been shown that anxiety and depression are associated with increased complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), the outcomes of TJA in patients with a history of psychosis are unknown. This study evaluated the influence of bipolar and schizophrenic disorders on complications after TJA, particularly aseptic and septic revisions.

A retrospective review of 156 TJAs (125 primaries and 31 revisions) was performed at a single institution from 2000 to 2015. Bipolar and schizophrenic patients were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes or by those actively taking anti-psychotic medications, followed by manual chart review to confirm diagnoses. The psychosis patient cohort was matched 3:1 for a variety of factors. Revisions and readmissions were evaluated. Survivorship curves were generated.

Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had an increased odds of developing peri-prosthetic joint infection at 90 days (odds ratio [OR] 3.34, P = .049), 2 years (OR 3.94, P = .004), and at any time point (OR 4.32, P = .002). Psychosis patients had increased odds of aseptic and mechanical revisions at all endpoints, particularly from dislocation. Psychosis patients had a higher number of post-operative emergency department visits (P < .001), and were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility (P < .001).

Patients with bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia may have multiple barriers to self-care after TJA, and are at an increased risk for undergoing revision TJA for prosthetic joint infection and mechanical causes. Increased pre-operative education and screening of this patient population may be necessary prior to performing TJA.