Impact of Affective Disorders on Recovery of Baseline Function in Patients Undergoing Spinal Surgery: A Single Institution Study of 275 Patients

Background Decompressive spinal surgery patients have high expectations of recovering functionally, both at work and with leisurely activities. Affective disorders, such as depression or anxiety, are increasingly prevalent in this population and are associated with poorer baseline quality-of-life measures and worse postoperative outcomes. The study examined the results of affective disorders on self-reported recovery of baseline function (RBF) following decompressive spinal surgery. Methods Medical records of 275 patients undergoing elective decompressive spinal surgery at a major academic institution were reviewed. There were 101 (36.7%) patients (with diagnosed anxiety or depression) in the affective disorder cohort (ADC) and 174 (63.6%) patients in the control cohort. The main outcome measure was self-reported RBF 3 months after surgery. Multivariate regression analysis was also used to determine whether affective disorders were a risk factor for poor RBF. Results Baseline demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative variables between the two cohorts were similar, except for a higher proportion of females, more smokers, and longer length of stay in the ADC. On patient-reported outcome measures, the ADC had significantly decreased baseline scores and decreased improvement in scores over time. On univariate analysis, the ADC had significantly lower rates of RBF at 3 months after surgery. On regression analysis, affective disorders were an independent risk factors for poor RBF. Conclusions This study suggests that affective disorders are an independent risk factor for decreased recovery of baseline functionality after decompressive spinal surgery. Preoperatively identifying these patients could improve management of postoperative expectations and thereby improve surgical outcome.