Increased Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Revision for Periprosthetic Joint Infection

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication after total joint arthroplasty. Patients undergoing revision for PJI may experience psychological distress and symptoms of depression, both of which are linked to poor postoperative outcomes. We, therefore, aim to identify the prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms in patients before treatment for PJI and their link to functional outcomes.

Patients undergoing either debridement with implant retention (DAIR) or 2-stage exchange for PJI with minimum 1-year follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. The 2-stage (n = 37) and single-stage (n = 39) patients that met inclusion criteria were matched based off age (±5 years), gender, and body mass index (±5) to patients undergoing aseptic revisions. Outcomes evaluated included a preoperative diagnosis of clinical depression and preoperative and postoperative Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey mental component score and physical component score.

Compared to matched controls, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly greater in patients undergoing 2-stage exchange preoperatively (40.5% vs 10.8%, P < .01) but not postoperatively (21.6% vs 10.8%, P = .20). Patients undergoing DAIR with either preoperative depressive symptoms (31.3 vs 40.9, P = .05) or a preoperative diagnosis of depression (27.7 vs 43.1, P < .01) had significantly lower physical component scores postoperatively.

Patients undergoing 2-stage exchange for PJI have a four times higher prevalence of preoperative depressive symptoms than patients undergoing aseptic revision. Patients undergoing DAIR with depression or preoperative depressive symptoms have lower functional scores postoperatively. Orthopedic surgeon screening of PJI patients with referral for treatment of depression may help improve outcomes postoperatively.