Effect of preoperative mental health status on spine surgery outcomes: a systematic review

Recent data reveals an association between preoperative mental health and postoperative outcomes in spine surgery. Patients with poor mental health often experience less favorable recovery trajectories, though long-term quality of life improvements may still be achieved. Understanding this relationship is essential for optimizing surgical planning and patient care.

Several studies have shown a clear correlation between poor preoperative mental health and poor postoperative outcomes in adult spinal deformity, spinal degenerative disease and cervical spine surgery. Furthermore, treating preoperative depression was shown to result in better outcomes in depressed patients, pointing out the importance of evaluating and treating psychiatric comorbidities before performing the surgery. To do so, the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) demonstrated its potential for application in identifying psychological discomfort in spine surgery patients. Preoperative mental health status plays a critical role in predicting postoperative recovery and satisfaction in spine surgery. Routine screening and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities should be incorporated into preoperative assessment to enhance surgical outcomes and overall patient well-being.