Depression and anxiety are associated with worse baseline function in hip arthroscopy patients

The mind matters: Psychological factors influence subjective outcomes following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty-A prospective study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate how psychological factors, including pain catastrophizing (PC), anxiety and depression affect preoperative and postoperative subjective outcomes in patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

METHODS

A prospective comparative study was performed among 150 patients undergoing medial or lateral UKA for isolated unicompartmental osteoarthritis. Patients were categorized based on their preoperative PC and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, stratifying them into groups with PC, anxiety or depression, and those without these psychological factors. Patient-reported outcomes, including the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Physical function Short form (KOOS-PS), 5-level EQ5D Visual Analogue Scale (EQ5D-VAS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and Numeric Rating Scale for pain (NRS-pain) were compared between groups preoperatively and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up.

RESULTS

At 24 months, PC patients had inferior outcomes in KOOS-PS (66.9 ± 16.5 vs. 77.6 ± 14.7, p = .008), EQ5D-VAS (63.5 ± 19.9 vs. 78.9 ± 20.1, p = .003) and FJS (73.7 ± 14.3 vs. 84.6 ± 13.8, p = .003). Anxiety was associated with inferior KOOS-PS (65.4 ± 15.2 vs. 78.2 ± 14.5, p = <.001), EQ5D-VAS (64.2 ± 23.2 vs. 79.3 ± 19.4, p = .002), FJS (75.7 ± 16.8 vs. 84.6 ± 13.4, p = .008) and NRS-pain (27.4 ± 24.6 vs. 13.7 ± 19.3, p = .023) at 24 months. Depression consistently resulted in inferior outcomes in KOOS-PS, EQ5D-VAS, FJS and NRS-pain across all follow-up assessments (p = <.05). Additionally, patients with anxiety and depression experienced longer length of hospital stay compared to those without these psychological factors (anxiety: 2.3 ± 2.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.8 days, p = .006; depression: 2.3 ± 2.4 vs. 0.8 ± 0.8 days, p = .017).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative PC, anxiety and depression are associated with inferior subjective outcomes both prior to and following UKA. Among these factors, depression seemed to exert the most substantial adverse impact on outcomes following UKA. Patients with anxiety and depression had an extended duration of hospitalization lasting over twice as long as patients without these psychological factors. It seems that inferior outcomes primarily stem from the suboptimal preoperative condition rather than an inherent inability to benefit from UKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prospective study.

Preoperative opioid use is associated with worse preoperative patient-reported outcomes in hip arthroscopy patients

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to define the rate of preoperative opioid use among patients undergoing hip arthroscopy, ascertain which clinical factors are associated with opioid use, and assess the effect of preoperative opioid usage on preoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures.

METHODS

A single institution orthopedic registry was retrospectively analyzed for patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome with or without labral tear between 2015 and 2022. Patients completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) in six domains, Numeric Pain Scores (NPS), and Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System expectations domain preoperatively. Patients' charts were reviewed to determine demographic factors and identify any active opioid prescription within 6 weeks before surgery. Bivariate analysis was used to determine associations between preoperative opioid use and baseline PROs. Statistically significant bivariate associations were further tested by multivariate analysis to determine independent predictors.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were included (age 39.7 ​± ​12.0 years; 87 females; body mass index 27.4 ​± ​5.7 kg/m2). There were 21 patients (17%) using opioids preoperatively. Prior orthopedic or other surgery and lower education level were associated with preoperative opioid use. Patients with preoperative opioid use scored statistically significantly worse compared with those without preoperative opioid use on baseline PROMIS Physical Function (38.6 vs 40.5, p ​= ​0.01), Pain Interference (65.9 vs 60.2, p ​= ​0.001), Fatigue (60.7 vs 51.6, p ​= ​0.005), Social Satisfaction (38.2 vs 43.2, p ​= ​0.007), and Depression (54.2 vs 48.8, p ​= ​0.01). Preoperative opioid use was also associated with statistically significantly worse preoperative NPS for both the operative hip (6.3 vs 4.6, p ​= ​0.003) and whole body (3.0 vs 1.4, p ​= ​0.008). Preoperative opioid use was an independent predictor of worse baseline PROMIS Pain Interference, Fatigue, Social Satisfaction, and NPS for the operative hip.

CONCLUSION

Patients using opioids preoperatively had worse baseline PROs for physical function, pain, social satisfaction, and depression than those not using opioids preoperatively. When controlling for confounding variables, preoperative opioid use was independently predictive of worse baseline pain, fatigue, and social satisfaction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic study.

Depression Scores Decrease After Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Purpose

To evaluate clinical depression scores and functional outcomes following arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome in patients with elevated preoperative depressive symptoms as defined by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System for Depression (PROMIS-D).

Methods

Patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome completed the PROMIS-D Computer Adaptive Test and additional patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures preoperatively and at the time of postoperative visits. Patients were categorized into preoperative clinically depressed (CD) and nonclinically depressed (NCD) groups based on preoperative PROMIS-D scores. Scores ≥55 correlate to mild clinical depression, and this cutoff was used to determine preoperative depression status. PROMIS-D scores and functional outcome scores were assessed at 6 months and a minimum of 1-year postoperatively.

Results

In total, 100 patients were included with complete PROs at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Of those included, 21 (21%) were categorized with preoperative CD. There were no differences in demographic or radiographic variables between the preoperative CD and NCD groups. At 6 months and 12 months postoperatively, the percentage of patients in the preoperative CD group with continued depression was 33.3% and 23.8%, respectively. Overall, 1-year change in PROMIS-D score for the CD group was -9.1 versus -0.8 in the NCD group (P = .001). There was no significant difference in rates of patients achieving patient acceptable symptom state between the preoperative CD and NCD groups.

Conclusions

Patients with symptoms of preoperative CD, as defined by the PROMIS-D score, demonstrated significant improvement in depressive symptoms following hip arthroscopy. In addition, patients with CD preoperatively did not show decreased rates of achieving minimum clinically important difference or patient acceptable symptom state on postoperative PROs compared with patients with NCD.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Social Determinants of Health in Maryland Hip Arthroscopy Patients

Background Prior studies have demonstrated racial and socioeconomic disparities in patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) completion rates, and improvement exists across multiple orthopedic conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess whether these disparities are present in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy (HA) procedures. Methods A retrospective study of 306 patients undergoing HA from 2021 to 2023 was performed. Social determinants of health (SDOH) were compared between HA patients and the general Maryland population. Patients were then classified by whether they completed baseline and six-month PROMs (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) instrument). Patients who completed PROMIS-PF were classified by whether or not they achieved minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at six months. Demographics and SDOH were compared using univariate analyses between patients who did and did not complete PROMs and between those who did and did not achieve MCID. SDOH were evaluated at the zip-code level using regional health information exchange measures. Results Compared to the Maryland population, HA patients resided in areas of lower social vulnerability. Preoperative and six-month PROMs were completed by 102 (33%) patients. No significant differences in demographics or any SDOH were found between patients who did and did not complete PROMs. Six-month MCID was achieved in 75 of 102 (74%) patients with complete PROMs; no significant differences in demographics or SDOH were observed between patients who did and did not achieve MCID. Conclusions For patients undergoing HA, disparities in patient-reported outcome completion rates and postoperative functional improvement do not appear to be present across demographics and SDOH, indicating equitable care is being delivered.

Surgery-related anxiety regarding arthroscopic meniscectomy under general anesthesia: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of anxiety among patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery and its association with postoperative function has been well documented; however, the level of anxiety and anxiety-related characteristics remain unclear. As such, the present study investigated the characteristics of state anxiety in patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy.

METHODS

Data from 75 patients, who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy under general anesthesia and completed an anxiety status questionnaire between April 2021 and March 2022, were retrospectively collected and reviewed. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)-X was used to measure state anxiety; a total score ≥ 52 was defined as clinically meaningful state anxiety. STAI score, main cause of preoperative anxiety, most anxious period, and most helpful factors for reducing perioperative anxiety were investigated. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the main cause of preoperative anxiety; surgery or anesthesia (group I [n = 47]); and postoperative pain or rehabilitation (group II [n = 28]) Characteristics of state-anxiety between the two groups were compared using independent t-tests.

RESULTS

The mean STAI score of the total population was 39.1 points (range, 20-60 points). The mean STAI score was significantly higher in group I than in group II (41.9 vs. 34.4 points, respectively; P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with clinically meaningful state anxiety was significantly higher in group I than in group II (23.4% vs. 3.6%, respectively, P = 0.02). Most patients (66.0% in group I and 50.0% in group II) responded that trust in medical staff was the most helpful factor in overcoming preoperative anxiety. In group I, 63.8% reported that the surgeon's explanation was the most helpful factor in reducing postoperative anxiety, whereas in group II, 71.4% reported that the natural course after surgery was the most helpful factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons should be aware that anxiety related to arthroscopic meniscectomy differs according to patient characteristics, and a preoperative explanation of the postoperative process with the surgeon is important for patients who experience preoperative anxiety regarding anesthesia or the surgery itself.

Better sex after hip arthroscopy; Sexual dysfunction in patients with femoro-acetabular impingement syndrome

BACKGROUND

Femoro-acetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) is a common cause of hip pain and functional decline. The quality of life of affected patients has been shown to be significantly diminished, with potential alterations in the ability to perform activities of daily living and recreation, including sexual function. Hip arthroscopy is the surgical technique recognized as the gold standard in FAIS. The aim of this study was to research the relationship between hip arthroscopy due to FAIS and pre- and postoperative sexual function.

HYPOTHESIS

The hypothesis of the study was that sexual dysfunction would be common during the preoperative period but would significantly improve after surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 96 patients aged 18 to 55 years, who underwent hip arthroscopy for a FAIS diagnosis between 2015 and 2021, with a minimum follow-up of one year. Exclusion criteria were a bilateral symptomatic hip condition, history of ipsilateral hip or knee surgery, history of urological or gynecological conditions, sexual dysfunction, or a history of hip osteonecrosis or osteoarthritis. The Female Sexual Function Scale (FSFI) was used to evaluate sexual dysfunction in females and the International Erectile Function Index (IIEF-5) for males.

RESULTS

The patients comprised 56.3% males and 43.82% females with a mean age of 35.3±8.3 years. Sexual dysfunction was determined preoperatively in 85.2% of the males and in 57.1% of the females. Overall improvement after surgery was statistically significant. Signs of pudendal nerve damage were seen during the postoperative period in 29 (30.2%) patients. The change in total sexual scores was significantly correlated with nerve symptoms and regression analysis showed that traction time was a significant risk factor for pudendal nerve symptoms.

DISCUSSION

Sexual dysfunction is a common trait of patients suffering from FAIS and the majority of patients significantly benefit from the procedure. Sexual dysfunction persists in a category of patients during the postoperative period, regardless of the type of lesion, and this phenomenon is associated with transient pudendal nerve symptoms, which are more likely to occur with longer traction times and thus represent a clear risk factor.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Primary Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in Adolescents Improves Outcomes and Clinical Benefit Achievement Rates at Short-Term Follow-Up. A Multicenter Analysis

PURPOSE

To report minimum 2-year follow-up patient-reported outcome scores (PROs) and rates of achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), the patient-acceptable symptomatic state (PASS), and the maximal outcome improvement (MOI) on adolescents following primary hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS). Second, to determine risk factors for revision surgery.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data from two high-volume hip arthroscopy centers were retrospectively reviewed on adolescents (≤19 years old) who underwent primary hip arthroscopy between November 2008 and February 2019. Adolescents with a minimum 2-year follow-up for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip Outcome Score-Sports Specific Subscale (HOS-SSS), International Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were included regardless of their growth plate status. Exclusion criteria were Tönnis grade >1, lateral center edge-angle <18°, and previous ipsilateral hip surgery or conditions. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic data, MCID, PASS, MOI, secondary surgeries, and complications were reported. A multivariable survival analysis for risk factors for secondary surgery was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 287 hips (249 patients) were included (74.9% females). The mean values for age, body mass index, and follow-up were 16.3 ± 1.3 years, 22.3 ± 3.5, and 26.6 ± 9.4 months, respectively. Further, 88.9% underwent labral repair, 81.5% femoroplasty, and 85.4% capsular closure. Improvement for all PROs was reported (P < .001) with high patient satisfaction (8.8 ± 1.5). Achievement for the MCID was 71.7%, 83.0%, 68.1%, and 79.5% for the mHHS, NAHS, HOS-SSS, and iHOT-12, respectively. Achievement for the PASS was 68.3% for the mHHS and 73.2% for the NAHS. The MOI for mHHS, NAHS, and VAS was 58.3%, 77.0%, and 59.6%, respectively. Rates of revision hip arthroscopy, cam recurrence, and heterotopic ossification were 5.8%, 1.7%, and 5.5%, respectively. Acetabular retroversion was found to be a risk factor for revision surgery (P = .03).

CONCLUSION

The results of this multi-center study demonstrated that adolescents who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAIS reported significant improvement in all PROs, with satisfactory achievement rates for the MCID, PASS, MOI, and high patient satisfaction at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, retrospective multicenter study.