Clin Orthop Surg.  2016 Jun;8(2):164-167. 10.4055/cios.2016.8.2.164.

Failure Rate of Spine Surgeons in Preoperative Clinical Screening of Severe Psychological Disorders

• Omidi-Kashani F
• Faridhoseini F
• Ariamanesh S
• Kazar MH
• Baradaran

• KMID: 2412341
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2016.8.2.164

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The surgeon's attention to the patient's underlying psychological state is essential to attaining desired outcomes. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and severity of psychological disorders in patients undergoing elective spine surgery.
METHODS
In this case-control study, associated psychological disorders were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire at a single academic spine surgery center from August 2013 to June 2015. The case group consisted of 68 adult patients (mean age, 38.2 ± 9.6 years; male:female = 41:27) undergoing elective spine surgery and the control group included 69 healthy visitors of the orthopedic patients (mean age, 37.1 ± 6.9 years; male:female = 40:29) who voluntarily participated in the study. The 2 groups were compared for statistical analysis and a p-value < 5% was considered significance.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant intergroup difference with regard to gender and age. The incidences of abnormal anxiety and depression were the same in the case group (14 patients, 20.6%). The values were 3 (4.3%) and 5 (7.2%), respectively, in the control group, showing statistically significant difference. Any association between the severity of depression and age or sex could not be identified.
CONCLUSIONS
In spite of spine surgeons' attempts to screen severe psychological disorders preoperatively, up to 21% of which cannot be diagnosed prior to elective spine surgery. Therefore, we believe the use of a questionnaire would be helpful in assessing patients' underlying psychological state before elective spine surgery.

Keyword

Anxiety; Depression; Surgery; Psychiatric status; Spine

MeSH Terms

Adult
Anxiety/*diagnosis
Case-Control Studies
Depression/*diagnosis
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Spine/*surgery
Surgeons/*statistics & numerical data
Surveys and Questionnaires

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