Prospective Study of the Assessment of Anxiety Symptoms after Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression

Objective  To analyze associations between anxiety and postsurgical clinical outcomes in patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery in addition to comparing symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after surgery. Methods  This prospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. Clinical outcomes were measured before and 6 months after surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Based on the presurgical anxiety score, patients were categorized into anxious and non-anxious patients, and the outcomes were compared. Results  The patients of both groups obtained similar results concerning the clinical outcomes evaluated. Preoperative HADS scores decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in both anxiety (8.70 ± 3.48 vs. 5.75 ± 3.91) and depression (6.95 ± 3.54 vs. 5.50 ± 2.99). The VAS scale for the back (-2.8 ± 3.64) and legs (-5.5 ± 3.5) showed a reduction in pain. Conclusion  Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery promoted clinical and functional improvement, not being affected by preoperative anxiety symptoms. Mental health indicators showed a significant reduction in symptoms 6 months after surgery.