Retrospective cohort study identifies incidence and predictors of psychiatric disorders post-lumbar fusion, indicating screening need.
Key Points
To determine the incidence, timing, and predictors of new-onset psychiatric disorders following lumbar fusion surgery.
Retrospective cohort study utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (2016-2019).
Identified adults undergoing elective inpatient lumbar fusion, excluding those with preexisting psychiatric diagnoses.
Evaluated new-onset depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and homicidal ideation within 12 months post-surgery.
Among 839,576 patients, 12,011 developed depression, 11,828 anxiety, 916 suicidal ideation, and 63 homicidal ideation.
Most psychiatric diagnoses occurred within 90 days postoperatively with peak incidence around 3 weeks.
Opioid use increased odds of suicidal ideation (OR 2.13) and anxiety (OR 1.26), while Medicaid insurance was the strongest predictor of suicidal (OR 3.69) and homicidal ideation (OR 6.41).