Factors of perioperative depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with parotid gland tumor and its influence on postoperative complication and quality of life: a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Parotid gland tumors (PGTs) are the most common benign neoplasms of salivary gland tumor. Due to its tendency to affect the aesthetic appearance of the face, patients with PGTs are often prone to negative emotions, which seriously affects their recovery. However, there are fewer studies on risk factors associated with the development of anxiety and depression in patients. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors for negative emotions in the perioperative period of PGT patients and their effects on postoperative complication and quality of life and provide a reference basis for improving patient prognosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 186 patients with PGT admitted to our hospital from August 2017 to August 2021. We evaluated and compiled the general clinical characteristics of the patients. The t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the relationship between patients’ negative emotions and prognosis. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for negative emotions and poor prognosis of patients in the perioperative period. Patients were followed up 6 months after discharge by outpatient or telephone follow-up. RESULTS: Among 186 patients with PGT, a total of 43 (23.1%) patients showed symptoms of anxiety and 46 (24.7%) patients showed depression. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the patients’ education (P=0.001), with or without hypertension (P=0.048), tumor characteristics (P=0.001), postoperative complications of transient or permanent facial palsy (P=0.008, P=0.027), and recurrence (P=0.018) were independent risk factors for anxiety among patients, while the patients’ educational level (P=0.018), tumor metastasis (P=0.044), and postoperative Frey syndrome (P=0.011) were independent risk factors for depression among patients. In addition, we found that the patients’ negative emotions (P=0.000), educational level (P=0.015), residency (P=0.027), with or without hyperlipidemia (P=0.042), tumor characteristics (P=0.000), surgery time (P=0.037), and postoperative complications (P=0.041) were independent risk factors for patient prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: PGT patients are prone to various postoperative complications and have a high likelihood of having negative emotions and seriously affects the prognosis. Clinical efforts should pay attention to patients’ emotions and demeanor, the identification of relevant risk factors, the adoption of targeted measures to alleviate patients’ anxiety and depression, and improve the prognosis.