Clinical, Surgical, and Socio-Psychological Factors and Depression Post-Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Abstract Background Depression is highly prevalent in cardiac surgical patients and is associated with mortality. The objectives of the study were: to evaluate depression scores longitudinally pre- and post-operatively and to examine the association between post-operative depression scores and clinical, surgical, and socio-psychological factors. Methods Depression scores were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Study of Depression (CES-D) in 100 cardiac surgical patients who underwent cardiac surgery pre-operatively, during hospitalization, and at 2-weeks and 6-weeks post-discharge. Clinical, surgical and socio-psychological predictors of depression scores were recorded. Results The average depressive scores significantly increased from preoperative levels (14.9±1.07) to during hospitalization (21.5±1.05) and decreased at both 2-weeks (15.8±1.07) and 6-weeks post-discharge (14.0±1.06), as compared to the score during hospitalization (p 16 increased significantly from preoperative (39%) to hospitalization (71%), and decreased gradually at 2-weeks (45%) and 6-weeks (37 %) post-discharge (p Conclusion High depressive scores post-cardiac surgery suggest that perioperative screening and management of depression following surgery are necessary and may improve outcomes of these patients who are at high risk for depression. Further understanding of the factors which contribute to high depression scores is required to facilitate clinical intervention.