The impacts of anxiety and depression on outcomes in orthopaedic trauma surgery: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION: The impact of anxiety and depression on outcomes in orthopaedic trauma surgery is a topic of growing research interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Orthopaedic trauma patients often experience high rates of psychiatric disorders, with anxiety and depression being the most prevalent. Mental health disorders have been shown to increase the risk of negative surgical outcomes and morbidity. This narrative review seeks to summarize the current literature surrounding the impacts of anxiety and depression on orthopaedic trauma surgery outcomes. DISCUSSION: There is a bidirectional relationship between chronic pain and mental health disorders, involving overlapping brain regions and neurotransmitter pathways. Anxiety and depression have been identified as predictors of negative surgical outcomes in orthopaedic trauma patients. Screening tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7 (GAD-7), and Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form (SF-36) can assess mental health status and help tailor interventions. Psychological distress, chronic pain, and traumatic limb amputation are factors that contribute to adverse mental health outcomes in orthopaedic trauma patients. Opioid use for pain management is common in orthopaedic surgery, but it can worsen symptoms of depression and lead to dependency. Non-opioid pain management strategies may improve postoperative outcomes by reducing the impact of opioid-exacerbated depression. CONCLUSION: Mental health interventions, both preoperative and postoperative, are crucial in optimizing surgical outcomes and improving patient quality of life. Multidisciplinary approaches that address both physical and mental health are recommended for orthopaedic trauma patients. Further research is needed to develop effective interventions for improving mental health outcomes in this patient population.