Association Between Comorbid Depression and Rates of Postoperative Complications, Readmissions, and Revision

Ryan D Freshman1, Madeleine Salesky1, Charles J Cogan1

  • 1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

Insights

Patients with preoperative depression face higher risks of complications, readmissions, and revision surgery after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). This highlights the need for integrated mental health care in orthopedic treatment plans.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Psychiatry
  • Health Services Research

Background:

  • Preoperative depression is prevalent in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).
  • The impact of depression on postoperative outcomes following hip arthroscopy is not well understood.
  • Existing research lacks comprehensive data on depression's effect on complications, readmissions, and revision procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between preoperative depression and 90-day postoperative complications and readmissions after hip arthroscopy for FAIS.
  • To determine if preoperative depression increases the risk of undergoing additional ipsilateral hip procedures post-arthroscopy.
  • To compare the prevalence of preoperative depression in hip arthroscopy patients versus those undergoing shoulder or knee arthroscopy.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study utilizing the Mariner/PearlDiver database (2010-2019).
  • Comparison of patients with and without preexisting depression who underwent hip arthroscopy for FAIS, matched 1:1 on key demographic and comorbidity factors.
  • Analysis of Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes to identify outcomes and procedures.

Main Results:

  • Preoperative depression was significantly more common in hip arthroscopy patients (25.4%) compared to shoulder (22.2%) or knee (19.8%) arthroscopy patients.
  • Patients with preoperative depression exhibited higher rates of 90-day readmissions (2.4% vs. 1.5%) and numerous complications, including UTI, pneumonia, hematoma, AKI, DVT/PE, and superficial infections (all P < .01).
  • Preoperative depression was linked to a significantly increased likelihood of revision hip arthroscopy within 2 years (6.3% vs. 2.4%; P < .001).

Conclusions:

  • Preexisting depression is associated with significantly increased rates of postoperative complications and hospital readmissions following elective hip arthroscopy for FAIS.
  • Patients with preoperative depression have a higher probability of requiring revision hip arthroscopy within two years of their initial surgery.
  • These findings underscore the importance of addressing preoperative depression in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy to optimize surgical outcomes and potentially reduce revision rates.
Abstract