Complications and Healthcare Cost of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Depressive Disorder.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the rates of (1) in-hospital lengths of stay (LOS), (2) readmissions, (3) medical complications, and (4) costs of care are higher for patients with depressive disorder (DD) undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) for treatment of femoral neck fractures (FNFs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective query of a national administrative claims database for patients undergoing primary THA from 2006 to 2014 was conducted. Patients with DD undergoing THA for treatment of FNF were 1:5 ratio propensity score matched to a cohort (DD=6,758, controls=33,708). Primary endpoints included LOS, 90-day medical complications, 90-day readmissions, and healthcare reimbursements. A -value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Longer LOS were observed for patients with DD compared to those without DD (5.6 days vs. 5.4 days, <0.001). Similar readmission rates (29.9% vs. 25.0%, odds ratio [OR] 1.03, =0.281) were observed between groups. The odds of 90-day medical complications were higher for patients with DD compared to control subjects (60.6% vs. 21.4%, OR 1.57, <0.0001). Within the 90-day episode of care interval, patients with a history of DD incurred significantly higher healthcare expenditures ($21,382 vs. $19,781, <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed longer LOS, higher odds of 90-day medical complications, and higher healthcare expenditures within the 90-day episode of care following a primary THA for treatment of FNF for patients with DD compared to the matched cohort. Thus, accordingly, patients with DD should receive counseling prior to undergoing surgery.