Preoperative Depression and Anxiety Impact on Inpatient Surgery Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study

To determine the association of preoperative mood symptoms and postoperative adverse outcomes; to explore sex-specific differences.

Depression and anxiety can increase postoperative mortality. Psychological stress is associated with a chronic inflammatory response unfavorable to postsurgical healing.

Prospective cohort study. Patients were recruited from surgical preadmission clinics at a university hospital. Preoperative depression and anxiety were measured via the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories (BDI-II and BAI). Our primary outcome was a composite of postoperative complications, extended length of stay (ELOS) and early readmission. Associated variables included demographics, preoperative pain, pain tolerance/catastrophizing, coping mechanisms, postoperative pain, and opioid use. We adjusted for age, comorbidities, and surgical specialty.

Of 1061 recruited patients (ten surgical specialties, 2015-2020), 455 males and 486 females had preoperative and postoperative data available. Mean age was 62.9 (range 20.2-96.2). At baseline, 9.3% of patients had moderate or severe depression; 7.4% had moderate or severe anxiety. Females were more likely to be moderately or severely depressed (11% vs 7%, P = 0.036) and moderately or severely anxious (9% vs 6%, P = 0.034). Females had significantly fewer reported comorbidities and lower American Society of Anesthesiologists category (P < 0.001). Increasing BDI-II and BAI scores significantly increased likelihood of postoperative complications, ELOS, and/or hospital readmission in females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.57 for BDI-II 1-19 vs 0, P = 0.041; aOR = 4.48 for BDI-II > 19 vs 0, P = 0.008; aOR = 1.54 for BAI ≤ 6 vs >6, P = 0.038) but not in males. Mood symptoms did not influence postoperative pain or opioid use.

Preoperative depression and anxiety negatively impact surgical outcomes in female patients undergoing major surgery.