Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Correlated to Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Study in the Perioperative Period

Anxiety and depressive symptoms adversely affect surgical outcomes in patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT) undergoing surgical repair. Patients without a diagnosis of mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, before rotator cuff repair (RCR) can be considered an optimal candidate for surgery. The objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) as an assessment tool, and patient-reported outcome measures in RCT after repair surgery. This study included patients with RCT undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (RCR). Forty-three patients were included who had completed the HADS, Constant Murley Score (CMS), and Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) questionnaires before surgery and in the postoperative follow-up, at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The Friedman test showed that there were statistically significant changes in the different times point for HADS (p < 0.001), anxiety subscale of HADS, i.e., HADS-A (p < 0.001), depression subscale of HADS, i.e., HADS-D (p < 0.001), CMS (p < 0.001), and SF-36 (p < 0.001). The average scores of HADS, HADS-A, and HADS-D improved at each follow-up, showing improvement in discomfort. From the third month after surgery, there was an improvement in anxiety and depression disorders related to improved quality of life, functionality, and pain perception. The trend remained stable until the sixth month of follow up. This study shows that anxiety and depressive symptoms in RCT patients are significantly reduced after RCR with subsequent important improvements in terms of functionality, ability to carry out activities of daily living, perceived pain, and quality of life.