Prevalence of Depression in Metastatic Spine Disease Patients Undergoing Surgical Intervention

Retrospective cohort study.

To evaluate rates of self-reported depression in MSD patients undergoing surgery overall and at each timepoint in the perioperative period, and also to explore associations with sociodemographic factors.

Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with metastatic spine disease (MSD) undergoing surgery. Understanding its prevalence is vital, as it impacts clinical outcomes, recovery, and overall well-being.

Electronic medical records were retrospectively analyzed for MSD patients undergoing surgery at a large academic center between 2015 and 2023. Patients under 18 years old and those without National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Distress Thermometer Problem List data were excluded. The overall prevalence of depression was identified as the proportion of patients that reported depression at any timepoint in their perioperative period. Prevalence was also evaluated at baseline (defined as the closest recorded timepoint prior to surgery within 30 d preoperative), 30 days post-op, and at 90 days post-op. The rate of depression was compared across sociodemographic subgroups of race, sex, age, marital status and insurance type.

Of 342 patients, 33.3% reported depression at least once during their perioperative period. At baseline, 17.3% reported depression, at 30 days, 17.3%, and at 90 days, 14.1%. There was no significant difference in depression rates across timepoints or across sociodemographic subgroup.

Depression affects a substantial portion of MSD patients and remains consistent across the perioperative course. Its prevalence appears independent of sociodemographic factors, highlighting the importance of routine, universal psychological assessment and support for this vulnerable population.