Surgical adverse outcomes in patients with schizophrenia: a population-based study

Total knee arthroplasty in schizophrenia patients: early complications and cost in a propensity-matched national database study

INTRODUCTION

Studies investigating the link between mental health disorders and complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have found worse outcomes in individuals with such disorders. Therefore, risk factors and outcomes following TKA in patients with schizophrenia should be better understood. This study aims to investigate cost and duration of hospital stay, inpatient complications, and mortality associated with TKA in patients with schizophrenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Utilizing the NIS database from 2016 to 2019, patients that underwent TKA were selected using ICD-10 codes. The selected patients were classified into a schizophrenia or control group and cost, hospitalization length, complications, and mortality rates were compared between the two groups in an unmatched and matched analysis.

RESULTS

Our study dataset consisted of 558,371 patients that underwent a TKA during 2016 to 2019. 1,015 (0.2%) patients in the sample had a diagnosis of schizophrenia while the remaining 557,357 (99.8%) patients had no record of schizophrenia. An unmatched analysis found that schizophrenia patients had longer duration of hospital stay and greater charges incurred. Acute renal failure, myocardial infarction (MI), blood loss anemia, pneumonia, DVT, periprosthetic fracture, prosthetic dislocation, and periprosthetic infections were post-op complications with higher rates in the schizophrenia group. A matched cohort analysis found that schizophrenia patients still had longer duration of hospital stay and greater charges incurred. However, only acute renal failure, blood loss anemia, and pneumonia were found at higher rates in the schizophrenia group following TKA.

CONCLUSIONS

Schizophrenia patients had a significantly longer hospital stay and increased charges acquired during their stay compared to the control group following TKA. Acute renal failure, blood loss anemia, and pneumonia were medical complications with an increased risk following TKA in patients with schizophrenia in a matched analysis. Increased care during the perioperative period following TKA in individuals with schizophrenia is thus warranted.

Outcomes following hip fracture surgery in adults with schizophrenia in Ontario, Canada: A 10-year population-based retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To understand immediate and long-term outcomes following hip fracture surgery in adults with schizophrenia.

METHODS

Retrospective population-based cohort study leveraging health administrative databases from Ontario, Canada. Individuals aged 40-105 years with hip fracture surgery between April 1, 2009 and March 31, 2019 were included. Schizophrenia was ascertained using a validated algorithm. Outcomes were: 30-day mortality; 30-day readmission; 1-year survival; and subsequent hip fracture within 2 years. Analyses incorporated Generalized Estimating Equation models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Fine-Gray competing risk models.

RESULTS

In this cohort study of 98,126 surgically managed hip fracture patients, the median [IQR] age was 83[75-89] years, 69.2% were women, and 3700(3.8%) had schizophrenia. In Fine-Gray models, schizophrenia was associated with subsequent hip fracture (sdRH, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.09-1.53), with male patients with schizophrenia sustaining a refracture 50 days earlier. In age- and sex-adjusted GEE models, schizophrenia was associated with 30-day mortality (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.12-1.54) and readmissions (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.25-1.56). Kaplan-Meier survival curves suggested that patients with schizophrenia were less likely to be alive at 1-year.

CONCLUSIONS

Study highlights the susceptibility of hip fracture patients with schizophrenia to worse outcomes, including refracture, with implications for understanding modifiable processes of care to optimize their recovery.

Adverse postoperative outcomes in elderly patients with sarcopenia

PURPOSE

No study has compared 30-day and 90-day adverse postoperative outcomes between old-age patients with and those without sarcopenia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We categorize elderly patients receiving major surgery into two groups according to the presence or absence of preoperative sarcopenia that were matched at a 1:4 ratio through propensity score matching (PSM). We analyzed 30-day or 90-day adverse postoperative outcomes and mortality in patients with and without sarcopenia receiving major surgery.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the patients with preoperative sarcopenia were at significantly higher risk of 30-day postoperative mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]. = 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI]. = 1.03-1.52) and 30-day major complications such as postoperative pneumonia (aOR = 1.15; 95% CI = 1.00-1.40), postoperative bleeding (aOR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.04-4.57), septicemia (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.03-1.66), and overall complications (aOR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.00-1.46). In addition, surgical patients with sarcopenia were at significantly higher risk of 90-day postoperative mortality (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.29-1.74) and 90-day major complications such as pneumonia (aOR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.10-1.47), postoperative bleeding (aOR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.04-3.48), septicemia (aOR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.28-1.82), and overall complications (aOR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.08-1.42).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for 30-day and 90-day adverse postoperative outcomes such as pneumonia, postoperative bleeding, and septicemia and increases 30-day and 90-day postoperative mortality among patients receiving major surgery. No study has compared 30-day and 90-day adverse postoperative outcomes between patients with and those without sarcopenia. We conducted a propensity score?matched (PSM) population-based cohort study to investigate the adverse postoperative outcomes and mortality in patients undergoing major elective surgery with preoperative sarcopenia versus those without preoperative sarcopenia. We demonstrated that sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for 30-day and 90-day adverse postoperative outcomes, such as postoperative pneumonia, bleeding, septicemia, and mortality after major surgery. Therefore, surgeons and anesthesiologists should attempt to correct preoperative sarcopenia, swallowing function, and respiratory muscle training before elective surgery to reduce postoperative complications that contribute to the decrease in surgical mortality.

Disparities in prehospital and emergency surgical care among patients with perforated ulcers and a history of mental illness: a nationwide cohort study

PURPOSE

To compare patients with and without a history of mental illness on process and outcome measures in relation to prehospital and emergency surgical care for patients with perforated ulcer.

METHODS

A nationwide registry-based cohort study of patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. We used data from the Danish Prehospital Database 2016-2017 and the Danish Emergency Surgery Registry 2004-2018 combined with data from other Danish databases. Patients were categorized according to severity of mental health history.

RESULTS

We identified 4.767 patients undergoing emergency surgery for perforated ulcer. Among patients calling the EMS with no history of mental illness, 51% were identified with abdominal pain when calling the EMS compared to 31% and 25% among patients with a history of moderate and major mental illness, respectively. Median time from hospital arrival to surgery was 6.0 h (IQR: 3.6;10.7). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness underwent surgery 46 min (95% CI: 4;88) later compared to patients with no history of mental illness. Median number of days-alive-and-out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up was 67 days (IQR: 0;83). Adjusting for age, sex and comorbidity, patients with a history of major mental illness had 9 days (95% CI: 4;14) less alive and out-of-hospital at 90-day follow-up.

CONCLUSION

One-third of the population had a history of mental illness or vulnerability. Patients with a history of major mental illness were less likely to be identified with abdominal pain if calling the EMS prior to arrival. They had longer delays from hospital arrival to surgery and higher mortality.

Mental illness comorbidity significantly impacts surgical outcomes for emergency surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Whilst both mental illness comorbidity and the delivery of emergency surgery are commonplace in Australia, there is little evidence investigating any link between them. As such, this study examines the emergency surgical outcomes for patients with mental illness compared to other surgical patients within the Australian public surgical system.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study involving adult emergency and elective surgical patients treated at three public hospitals in Sydney, Australia between 2018 and 2019. Patients were identified using ICD-10 diagnosis codes, and grouped by those with decompensated mental illness, chronic depression, or those without mental illness. Outcome measures included those within the emergency department (ED), along with in-hospital mortality and surgical outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 48 338 total patients, 31 890 (66.0%) had elective and 16 448 (34.0%) had emergency surgery. For patients with decompensated mental illness, only 228 (0.7%) had elective whilst 425 (2.6%) had emergency surgery. Their outcomes for this surgery type included being triaged significantly higher (Cat 1 or 2, 34% vs. 15%) and longer ED stays (8.3 vs. 6.6 h). They also had significantly more post-operative complications (26% vs. 8%) and total days in hospital (33.8 vs. 8.5 days). There was no significant difference for in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mental illness are significantly more likely to have emergency surgery including presenting to the ED with more acute physical illness and to experience worse surgical outcomes compared to other surgical patients for every measure analyzed except mortality. There is considerable opportunity to further investigate how these differences might be improved.

The risk of stroke and post-stroke mortality in people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis study

Sources of heterogeneity in risk of stroke and mortality risk following acute-stroke in schizophrenia are understudied. We systematically searched four electronic-databases until 1-November-2022, and conducted meta-analysis to synthesize estimates of stroke-risk and post-stroke mortality for schizophrenia patients relative to non-schizophrenia counterparts. Subgroup-analyses and meta-regression models stratified by sex, nature of sample (incident/prevalent), geographical region, study-period and time-frame following stroke were conducted when applicable. Fifteen and 5 studies were included for meta-analysis of stroke-risk (n=18,368,253; 129,095 schizophrenia patients) and all-cause post-stroke mortality (n=289,231; 4,477 schizophrenia patients), respectively. Schizophrenia patients exhibited elevated stroke-risk (relative-risk =1.55[95% CI:1.31-1.84]) relative to non-schizophrenia controls. Schizophrenia was associated with increased stroke-risk in both sexes, study-periods of 1990s and 2000s, and irrespective of nature of sample and geographical regions. Meta-regression revealed regional differences in relative-risk for stroke, but limited by small number of studies. After removal of an outlier study, meta-analysis demonstrated that schizophrenia was associated with increased overall (hazard-ratio=1.37[1.30-1.44]), short-term (≤90 days; 1.29[1.14-1.46]) and longer-term (≥1 year; 1.45[1.32-1.60]) post-stroke mortality rates. Raised post-stroke mortality rate for schizophrenia was observed irrespective of nature of sample, geographical regions and study-periods. Taken together, schizophrenia is associated with increased stroke-risk and post-stroke mortality. Multilevel-interventions are required to reduce these physical-health disparities.

Improved postoperative outcomes in pediatric major surgery: evidence from hospital volume analysis

This study aimed to examine the association between hospital volume and postoperative outcomes in pediatric major surgery using a nationwide database. The study included pediatric patients who underwent first major elective inpatient surgery and hospitalization for more than 1 day. The results showed no significant difference in the risk of 30-day postoperative mortality based on hospital volume. However, patients in the middle- and high-volume groups had significantly lower rates of 30-day major complications, particularly deep wound infection. In terms of 90-day postoperative outcomes, patients in the high-volume group had a significantly lower risk of mortality and lower rates of major complications, particularly deep wound infection, pneumonia, and septicemia.  Conclusions: The study suggests that pediatric patients undergoing major surgery in high and middle-volume groups have better outcomes in terms of major complications compared to the low-volume group. What is Known: • Limited evidence exists on the connection between hospital volume and pediatric surgery outcomes. What is New: • A Taiwan-based study, using national data, found that high and middle hospital-volume groups experienced significantly lower rates of major complications within 30 and 90 days after surgery. • High-volume hospitals demonstrated a substantial decrease in the risk of 90-day postoperative mortality. • The study underscores the importance of specialized pediatric surgical centers and advocates for clear guidelines for hospital selection, potentially improving outcomes and informing future health policies.

The Association of Mental Illness With Outcomes of Emergency Surgery for Bowel Obstruction

INTRODUCTION

Bowel obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies. The management of SBO is variable and influenced by numerous confounding factors. Recent studies have identified mental health as a health disparity that affects surgical outcomes. We aim to assess whether mental illness is a health disparity and its association with postoperative complications and secondary outcomes for bowel obstruction in Emergency General Surgery (EGS).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study utilizing the National Inpatient Sample. Individuals aged 18-64 who underwent emergency adehesiolysis or bowel resection from 2015 to 2017 were identified. Postoperative complications, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total cost for surgical patients with and without mental illness were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the association between mental health and bowel obstruction.

RESULTS

20,574 patients who underwent surgery for bowel obstruction were identified. 3756 of these patients had mental illness and 16,998 patients did not. Patients with mental illness did not have significantly worse outcomes compared to patients without mental illness. Among 3576 patients with mental illness, sex, race, patient location, insurance, location/teaching status of hospital, hospital control and procedure type were significant predictors of prolonged length of stay, higher cost, and increased postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Mental health does not appear to be a health disparity in outcomes for bowel obstruction procedures. However, the intersection of mental health with race and insurance status predicts worse outcomes. This essential area should be further explored to determine how marginalized populations are affected in emergency surgical care.

Outcomes after surgery in patients with and without recent influenza: a nationwide population-based study

Background

The influence of recent influenza infection on perioperative outcomes is not completely understood.

Method

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Data from 2008 to 2013, we conducted a surgical cohort study, which included 20,544 matched patients with a recent history of influenza and 10,272 matched patients without. The main outcomes were postoperative complications and mortality. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the complications and for mortality in patients with a history of influenza within 1-14 days or 15-30 days compared with non-influenza controls.

Results

Compared with patients who had no influenza, patients with influenza within preoperative days 1-7 had increased risks of postoperative pneumonia (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.81-2.73), septicemia (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.70-2.31), acute renal failure (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.47-3.00), and urinary tract infection (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.23-1.70). An increased risk of intensive care admission, prolonged length of stay, and higher medical expenditure was noted in patients with history of influenza within 1-14 days.

Conclusion

We found that there was an association between influenza within 14 days preoperatively and the increased risk of postoperative complications, particularly with the occurrence of influenza within 7 days prior to surgery.

Comparison of medical resource consumption between oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma with and without sarcopenia: A nationwide population-based cohort study

PURPOSE

No study has compared long-term medical resource consumption between patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with and without sarcopenia receiving curative surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Generalized linear mixed and logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the number of postoperative visits and medical reimbursement for head and neck cancer or complications and the number of hospitalizations for treatment-related complications over 5 years after curative surgery, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean difference (95% CI) in total medical claims amounts between the nonsarcopenia and sarcopenia groups were new Taiwan dollars (NTD) 47 820 (35 864-59 776, p < 0.0001), 11 902 (4897-18 908, p = 0.0009), 17 282 (10 666-23 898, p < 0.0001), 17 364 (9644-25 084, p < 0.0001), and 8236 (111-16 362, p = 0.0470) for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The long-term medical resource consumption was higher in the sarcopenia group than in the nonsarcopenia group.

Postsurgical morbidity and mortality favorably informs deep brain stimulation for new indications including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Background

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) shows promise for new indications like treatment-refractory schizophrenia in early clinical trials. In the first DBS clinical trial for treatment refractory schizophrenia, despite promising results in treating psychosis, one of the eight subjects experienced both a symptomatic hemorrhage and an infection requiring device removal. Now, ethical concerns about higher surgical risk in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (SZ/SAD) are impacting clinical trial progress. However, insufficient cases preclude conclusions regarding DBS risk in SZ/SAD. Therefore, we directly compare adverse surgical outcomes for all surgical procedures between SZ/SAD and Parkinson's disease (PD) cases to infer relative surgical risk relevant to gauging DBS risks in subjects with SZ/SAD.

Design

In the primary analysis, we used browser-based statistical analysis software, TriNetX Live (trinetx.com TriNetX LLC, Cambridge, MA), for Measures of Association using the Z-test. Postsurgical morbidity and mortality after matching for ethnicity, over 39 risk factors, and 19 CPT 1003143 coded surgical procedures from over 35,000 electronic medical records, over 19 years, from 48 United States health care organizations (HCOs) through the TriNetX Research Network™. TriNetXis a global, federated, web-based health research network providing access and statistical analysis of aggregate counts of deidentified EMR data. Diagnoses were based on ICD-10 codes. In the final analysis, logistic regression was used to determine relative frequencies of outcomes among 21 diagnostic groups/cohorts being treated with or considered for DBS and 3 control cohorts.

Results

Postsurgical mortality was 1.01-4.11% lower in SZ/SAD compared to the matched PD cohort at 1 month and 1 year after any surgery, while morbidity was 1.91-2.73% higher and associated with postsurgical noncompliance with medical treatment. Hemorrhages and infections were not increased. Across the 21 cohorts compared, PD and SZ/SAD were among eight cohorts with fewer surgeries, nine cohorts with higher postsurgical morbidity, and fifteen cohorts within the control-group range for 1-month postsurgical mortality.

Conclusions

Given that the subjects with SZ or SAD, along with most other diagnostic groups examined, had lower postsurgical mortality than PD subjects, it is reasonable to apply existing ethical and clinical guidelines to identify appropriate surgical candidates for inclusion of these patient populations in DBS clinical trials.

Cardiac surgery receipt and outcomes for people using secondary mental healthcare services: Retrospective cohort study using a large mental healthcare database in South London

BACKGROUND

Patients diagnosed with mental health problems are more predisposed to cardiovascular disease, including cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, health outcomes after cardiac surgery for patients with mental health problems as a discrete group are unknown. This study examined the association between secondary care mental health service use and postoperative health outcomes following cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational research, utilizing data from a large South London mental healthcare supplier linked to national hospitalization data. OPCS-4 codes were applied to classify cardiac surgery. Health results were compared between those individuals with a mental health disorder diagnosis from secondary care and other local residents, including the length of hospital stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, and 30-day emergency hospital readmission.

RESULTS

Twelve thousand three hundred and eighty-four patients received cardiac surgery, including 1,481 with a mental disorder diagnosis. Patients with mental health diagnosis were at greater risk of emergency admissions for cardiac surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.60; 1.43, 1.79), longer index LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.28; 1.26, 1.30), and at higher risk of 30-day emergency readmission (OR 1.53; 1.31, 1.78). Those who underwent pacemaker insertion and major open surgery had worse postoperative outcomes during index surgery hospital admission while those who had major endovascular surgery had worse health outcomes subsequent 30-day emergency hospital readmission.

CONCLUSION

People with a mental health disorder diagnosis undertaking cardiac surgery have significantly worse health outcomes. Personalized guidelines and policies to manage preoperative risk factors require consideration and evaluation.

An unusual case of oral surgical management in a patient with isovaleric acidemia and schizophrenia: A case report

Oral/dental surgical care in patients with chronic medical comorbidities, such as isovaleric acidemia (IVA), can be challenging. In addition to technical complications, different comorbidities also present a complex range of concerning factors/challenges, which can increase the incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with surgery. IVA, a congenital error of metabolism, is a rare organic acidemia with a predisposition towards acute acidosis and life-threatening metabolic decompensation during stressful conditions, such as prolonged fasting and surgery. In addition, schizophrenia, a major neurological disorder, can result in manifestation of severe dental or periodontal conditions, including pericoronitis. The condition is associated with significant risk factors of postoperative complications, such as dangerous behaviors and adverse interactions between antipsychotic drugs and anesthetic agents. A case of comorbid dental disease with two coexisting chronic and life-threatening medical conditions, one of which is rare, is an unusual encounter in oral/dental surgery that is seldomly published. Moreover, implementing a safe and effective surgical intervention in such patients requires several informed considerations. However, only a few reported experiences or guidelines exist, reporting appropriate perioperative management strategies to minimize risks. Hence, in this case report, our experience of managing one of these rare encounters of a 20-year-old man who suffered from bilaterally partially erupted third molars, associated with chronic pericoronitis and dental caries of both the maxilla wisdom teeth with coexisting IVA and schizophrenia comorbidities is described. Additionally, the presentation and anticipated complications of the comorbid disorders of the patient are briefly reviewed. In this case, the pericoronitis and dental caries were treated by surgically removing the impacted third molars and the antagonist maxilla wisdom teeth under regional anesthesia and application of antibiotics for 3 days. The patient recovered without any postoperative complications after 1 year of follow-up.

Mortality in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of relative risk and aggravating or attenuating factors

People with schizophrenia die 15-20 years prematurely. Understanding mortality risk and aggravating/attenuating factors is essential to reduce this gap. We conducted a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of prospective and retrospective, nationwide and targeted cohort studies assessing mortality risk in people with schizophrenia versus the general population or groups matched for physical comorbidities or groups with different psychiatric disorders, also assessing moderators. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality risk ratio (RR); key secondary outcomes were mortality due to suicide and natural causes. Other secondary outcomes included any other specific-cause mortality. Publication bias, subgroup and meta-regression analyses, and quality assessment (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were conducted. Across 135 studies spanning from 1957 to 2021 (schizophrenia: N=4,536,447; general population controls: N=1,115,600,059; other psychiatric illness controls: N=3,827,955), all-cause mortality was increased in people with schizophrenia versus any non-schizophrenia control group (RR=2.52, 95% CI: 2.38-2.68, n=79), with the largest risk in first-episode (RR=7.43, 95% CI: 4.02-13.75, n=2) and incident (i.e., earlier-phase) schizophrenia (RR=3.52, 95% CI: 3.09-4.00, n=7) versus the general population. Specific-cause mortality was highest for suicide or injury-poisoning or undetermined non-natural cause (RR=9.76-8.42), followed by pneumonia among natural causes (RR=7.00, 95% CI: 6.79-7.23), decreasing through infectious or endocrine or respiratory or urogenital or diabetes causes (RR=3 to 4), to alcohol or gastrointestinal or renal or nervous system or cardio-cerebrovascular or all natural causes (RR=2 to 3), and liver or cerebrovascular, or breast or colon or pancreas or any cancer causes (RR=1.33 to 1.96). All-cause mortality increased slightly but significantly with median study year (beta=0.0009, 95% CI: 0.001-0.02, p=0.02). Individuals with schizophrenia <40 years of age had increased all-cause and suicide-related mortality compared to those ≥40 years old, and a higher percentage of females increased suicide-related mortality risk in incident schizophrenia samples. All-cause mortality was higher in incident than prevalent schizophrenia (RR=3.52 vs. 2.86, p=0.009). Comorbid substance use disorder increased all-cause mortality (RR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.47-1.80, n=3). Antipsychotics were protective against all-cause mortality versus no antipsychotic use (RR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84, n=11), with largest effects for second-generation long-acting injectable anti-psychotics (SGA-LAIs) (RR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.27-0.56, n=3), clozapine (RR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.34-0.55, n=3), any LAI (RR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.39-0.58, n=2), and any SGA (RR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.63, n=4). Antipsychotics were also protective against natural cause-related mortality, yet first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) were associated with increased mortality due to suicide and natural cause in incident schizophrenia. Higher study quality and number of variables used to adjust the analyses moderated larger natural-cause mortality risk, and more recent study year moderated larger protective effects of antipsychotics. These results indicate that the excess mortality in schizophrenia is associated with several modifiable factors. Targeting comorbid substance abuse, long-term maintenance antipsychotic treatment and appropriate/earlier use of SGA-LAIs and clozapine could reduce this mortality gap.

Diagnostic Overshadowing and Pain Insensitivity in a Schizophrenic Patient With Perforated Duodenal Ulcer

Some patients with schizophrenia and psychotic illnesses have reduced pain perception, and others have decreased pain expression. The diagnosis of the acute abdomen can be delayed, and its outcomes can be worse in psychiatric patients than in non-psychiatric patients. We present a case of perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) in a schizophrenic woman and discuss how the phenomenon of pain insensitivity and diagnostic overshadowing-a process in which a person with mental illness receives inadequate treatment due to a misattribution of physical symptoms to their mental illness-nearly contributed to a missed diagnosis.

Adverse outcomes after noncardiac surgery in patients with aortic stenosis

Whether aortic stenosis (AS) increases perioperative risk in noncardiac surgery remains controversial. Limited information is available regarding adequate anesthetic techniques for patients with AS. Using the reimbursement claims data of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance, we performed propensity score matching analyses to evaluate the risk of adverse outcomes in patients with or without AS undergoing noncardiac surgery between 2008 and 2013. We also compared the perioperative risk of AS patients undergoing general anesthesia or neuraxial anesthesia. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative mortality and major complications. The matching procedure generated 9741 matched pairs for analyses. AS was significantly associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03–1.67), acute renal failure (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.79), pneumonia (aOR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.33), stroke (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29), and intensive care unit stay (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.27–1.49). Compared with neuraxial anesthesia, general anesthesia was associated with increased risks of acute myocardial infarction (aOR 3.06, 95% CI 1.22–7.67), pneumonia (aOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.32–2.46), acute renal failure (aOR 1.82, 95% CI 1.11–2.98), and intensive care (aOR 4.05, 95% CI 3.23–5.09). The findings were generally consistent across subgroups. AS was an independent risk factor for adverse events after noncardiac surgery. In addition, general anesthesia was associated with greater postoperative complications in AS patients compared to neuraxial anesthesia. This real-world evidence suggests that neuraxial anesthesia should not be contraindicated in patients with AS.

Improving Surgical Quality for Patients with Mental Health Illnesses: A Narrative Review

OBJECTIVE

To establish and define disparities in care for patients presenting with surgical disease who have pre-existing mental health diagnoses.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Mental illness affects approximately 6.7 million Canadians. For them, stigma, comorbid disorders, and sequelae of psychiatric diagnoses can be barriers patients face to receive equitable healthcare. The goal of this review is to define inequities in surgical care for patients with pre-existing mental illness.

METHODS

We search OVID Medline, Pubmed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane review files using a combination of search terms using a PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) model focusing on surgical care for patients with mental illness.

RESULTS

The literature on mental illness in surgical patients focused primarily on preoperative and postoperative disparities in surgical care between patients with and without a diagnosis of mental illness. Preoperatively, patients were 7.5-40% less likely to be deemed surgical candidates, were less likely to receive testing, and were more likely to present at later stages of their disease or have delayed surgical care. Similar themes arose in the postoperative period: patients with mental illness were more likely to require ICU admission, were up to 3 times more likely to have a prolonged length of hospital stay, had a 14-270% increased likelihood of having postoperative complications, and had significantly higher healthcare costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical patients with preexisting psychiatric diagnoses have a propensity for worse perioperative outcomes compared to patients without reported mental illness. Taking a thorough psychiatric history can potentially help surgical teams address disparities and access to care as well as anticipate and prevent adverse outcomes.

Vascular surgery receipt and outcomes for people with serious mental illnesses: Retrospective cohort study using a large mental healthcare database in South London

OBJECTIVE

Vascular surgery can be common among people with serious mental illness (SMI) given the high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. However, post-operative outcomes following vascular surgery have received little investigation, particularly in a subpopulation of SMI.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) via its Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) platform and linkage with Hospital Episode Statistic (HES). Vascular surgery recipients were identified using OPCS version 4 codes. Length of stay (LOS) was modelled using Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs), and 30-day emergency hospital readmissions using Odds Ratios (ORs) for people with SMI compared with the general population.

RESULTS

Vascular surgery was received by 152 patients with SMI diagnoses (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder) and 8821 catchment residents without any mental health conditions. People with active SMI symptoms more likely to be admitted to hospital via emergency route OR: 1.80 (95% CI: 1.06, 3.07) and more likely to stay longer in the hospital for vascular surgery IRR: 1.35 (1.01, 1.80) and more likely to be readmitted to hospital via emergency route within 30 days OR: 1.53 (1.02, 2.67). People with SMI who had major open vascular surgery and peripheral endovascular surgery more likely to have worse post-operative outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the risks faced by people with SMI following vascular surgery. These suggest tailored guidelines and policies are needed, based on the identification of pre-operative risk factors, allowing for focused post-vascular surgery care to minimise adverse outcomes.

Functional Outcomes of Patients with Schizophrenia After Hip Fracture Surgery: A 1-Year Follow-up from an Institutional Hip Fracture Registry

BACKGROUND

Schizophrenia impairs a patient's self-care abilities, which are crucial after a hip fracture. Studies on the outcomes of patients with schizophrenia after a hip fracture are dated. This study aims to investigate the complication rates, 1-year mortality, and functional outcomes of surgically managed hip fractures in elderly patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study based on a prospectively maintained registry of patients with hip fracture. In this study, 3,056 patients who were ≥60 years of age were treated under a geriatric-orthopaedic hip fracture pathway from January 2014 to December 2018. Baseline demographic characteristics and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores were obtained at admission and at 6 months and 1 year after the fracture. Complications from the fracture and the surgical procedure were recorded during a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. A matching process (based on age, sex, and the MBI at admission) of up to 6 patients without schizophrenia per 1 patient with schizophrenia was utilized to increase power. Differences in perioperative, 6-month, and 1-year outcomes were compared for significance among surgically managed patients with schizophrenia and patients without schizophrenia.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients with schizophrenia were compared with 170 geriatric patients without schizophrenia who underwent a surgical procedure for a hip fracture. Patients with schizophrenia were more likely to be institutionalized postoperatively (26.3% compared with 4.7%; p < 0.001). Patients with schizophrenia had poorer MBI scores at 12 months (76 compared with 90 points; p = 0.006). The 1-year mortality rate was comparable (p = 0.29) between patients with schizophrenia (5.7%) and those without schizophrenia (2.4%). Similar trends in MBI were observed in the conservatively managed group of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no increase in postoperative complications after a surgical procedure for a hip fracture in elderly patients with schizophrenia. The 1-year mortality after a surgical procedure for hip fracture is similar in both patients with schizophrenia and those without schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia and hip fracture who were surgically managed had poorer 1-year functional outcomes compared with patients without schizophrenia matched for age, sex, and MBI at admission. This information will be useful in shared decision-making discussions with patients and families.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Septicemia and mortality after noncardiac surgery associated with CHA2DS2-VASc score: a retrospective cohort study based on a real-world database

Background

Little was know about the association between the CHA2DS2-VASc score and postoperative outcomes. Our purpose is to evaluate the effects of CHA2DS2-VASc score on the perioperative outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

We identified 47,402 patients with AF over the age of 20 years who underwent noncardiac surgeries between 2008 and 2013 from claims data of the National Health Insurance in Taiwan. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was used to evaluate postoperative complications, mortality and the consumption of medical resources by calculating adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Compared with patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 0, patients with scores ≥ 5 had an increased risk of postoperative septicemia (OR 2.76, 95% CI 2.00–3.80), intensive care (OR 2.55, 95% CI 2.12–3.06), and mortality (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.14–3.64). There was a significant positive correlation between risk of postoperative complication and the CHA2DS2-VASc score (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The CHA2DS2-VASc score was highly associated with postoperative septicemia, intensive care, and 30-day mortality among AF patients. Cardiologists and surgical care teams may consider using the CHA2DS2-VASc score to evaluate perioperative outcome risks in patients with AF.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12893-021-01209-z.

Surgical outcomes for people with serious mental illness are poorer than for other patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between having a serious mental illness and surgical outcomes for adults, including in-hospital and 30-day mortality, post-operative complications, and hospital length of stay.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of publications in English to 30 July 2018 of studies that examined associations between having a serious mental illness and surgical outcomes for adults who underwent elective surgery. Primary outcomes were in-hospital and 30-day mortality, post-operative complications, and length of hospital stay. Risk of bias was assessed with the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool. Studies were grouped by serious mental illness diagnosis and outcome measures. Odds ratios (ORs) or mean differences (MDs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated in random effects models to provide pooled effect estimates.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and the Cochrane Library.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Of the 3824 publications identified by our search, 26 (including 6 129 806 unique patients) were included in our analysis. The associations between having any serious mental illness diagnosis and having any post-operative complication (ten studies, 125 624 patients; pooled effect: OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.15-1.79) and a longer stay in hospital (ten studies, 5 385 970 patients; MD, 2.6 days; 95% CI, 0.8-4.4 days) were statistically significant, but not those for in-hospital mortality (three studies, 42 926 patients; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.69-2.12) or 30-day mortality (six studies, 83 013 patients; OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.86-3.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Having a serious mental illness is associated with higher rates of post-operative complications and longer stays in hospital, but not with higher in-hospital or 30-day mortality. Targeted pre-operative interventions may improve surgical outcomes for these vulnerable patients.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42018080114 (prospective).

Anesthesia Considerations for Cataract Surgery in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review

Schizophrenia is ranked among the top 10 global burdens of disease. About 1% of people meet the diagnostic criteria for this disorder over their lifetime. Schizophrenic patients can develop cataract, particularly related to age and medications, requiring surgery and anesthesia. Many concerning factors, including cognitive function, anxiety, behavioral issues, poor cooperation and paroxysmal movements, may lead to general anesthesia as the default method. Antipsychotic agents should be continued during the perioperative period if possible. Topical/regional anesthesia is suitable in most schizophrenic patients undergoing cataract surgery. It reduces potential drug interactions and many postoperative complications; however, appropriate patient selection is paramount to its success. General anesthesia remains the primary technique for patients who are considered unsuitable for the topical/regional technique. Early involvement of a psychiatrist in the perioperative period, especially for patients requiring general anesthesia, is beneficial but often under-utilized. This narrative review summarizes the anesthetic considerations for cataract surgery in patients with schizophrenia.

Impact of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Surgical Outcomes for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric comorbidities (PC) have been associated with poor surgical outcomes in several malignancies. However, the impact of PC on surgical outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unknown.

METHODS

NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection at a single institution between 2006-2017 were included. Presence of preoperative PC was identified by documented diagnostic codes. Demographic, histopathologic, perioperative, and survival data were analyzed. Categorical variables were compared using chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Overall and disease-free survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed for 30-day readmission.

RESULTS

Among 2907 patients, PC were present preoperatively in 180 (6%), including 130 (72%) anxiety, 52 (29%) depression, 28 (16%) adjustment disorder, 16 (9%) alcohol abuse, 8 (4%) sleep disorder, and 3 (2%) schizophrenia. Patients with PC were younger, with fewer cardiovascular complications. There were no differences in length of stay. However, PC led to increased 30-day readmission (12% vs 6%, p=0.004). Reasons for readmission did not differ between groups (p=0.679). Upon multivariable analysis, PC independently predicted 30-day readmission (OR: 2.00, p=0.005). Importantly, there were no differences in 30- or 90-day mortality (p=0.495 and 0.748, respectively), overall survival (p=0.439), or disease-free survival (p=0.924).

CONCLUSIONS

NSCLC patients with and without PC experienced similar perioperative and long-term outcomes, suggesting that individuals should not be denied surgical care on the basis of such comorbidities. However, further research should seek to identify reasons for increased risk of readmission for patients with PC and validate these findings in other settings.

Natural History, Neuroradiological Workup, and Management Options of Chronic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation Caused by Drug-Induced Cervical Dystonia

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) resulting from drug-induced cervical dystonia (DICD) represents an extremely rare complication of antipsychotic treatment, requiring a comprehensive assessment of pharmacologic therapy and timely radiologic workup. We report a chronic case of Fielding type I, Pang type I AARF secondary to schizophrenia treatment in a 16-year-old girl, along with a review of the literature on the management challenges posed in this condition. In this scenario, torticollis may just represent the tip of the iceberg, and only an effective multidisciplinary approach increases the chances of satisfactory correction with closed reduction, hence avoiding the burden of more invasive treatment options.

Adverse outcomes after major surgery in children with intellectual disability

AIM

To evaluate outcomes after major surgery in children and adolescents with intellectual disability.

METHOD

We used 2004 to 2013 claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance programme to conduct a nested cohort study, which included 220 292 surgical patients aged 6 to 17 years. A propensity score matching procedure was used to select 2173 children with intellectual disability and 21 730 children without intellectual disability for comparison. Logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the postoperative complications and 30-day mortality associated with intellectual disability.

RESULTS

Children with intellectual disability had a higher risk of postoperative pneumonia (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.48-3.15; p<0.001), sepsis (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28-2.18; p<0.001), and 30-day mortality (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.93; p=0.013) compared with children without intellectual disability. Children with intellectual disability also had longer lengths of hospital stay (p<0.001) and higher medical expenditure (p<0.001) when compared with children with no intellectual disability.

INTERPRETATION

Children with intellectual disability experienced more complications and higher 30-day mortality after surgery when compared with children without intellectual disability. There is an urgent need to revise the protocols for the perioperative care of this specific population.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Surgical patients with intellectual disability are at increased risk of postoperative pneumonia, sepsis, and 30-day mortality. Intellectual disability is associated with higher medical expenditure and increased length of stay in hospital after surgical procedures. The influence of intellectual disability on postoperative outcomes is consistent in both sexes and those aged 10 to 17 years. Low income and a history of fractures significantly impacts postoperative adverse events for patients with intellectual disability.

Surgical experience for patients with serious mental illness: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

People with serious mental illness (SMI) have significantly worse surgical outcomes compared to the general population. There are many contributing factors to this complex issue, however consideration of the surgical experience from the patient's own perspective has never been undertaken. This lack of understanding prevents the provision of truly patient centred care and may limit the impact of potential improvement initiatives. Therefore this study aims to describe and better understand the surgical experience from the perspective of patients with SMI.

METHODS

Within this qualitative study, semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted between August 2019 - June 2020, with 10 consenting participants with SMI who had surgery in the previous 2 years. A thematic analysis approach was used to explore both the positive and negative aspects of the participant's surgical experience commencing from pre-operative consultation to hospital discharge and follow-up.

RESULTS

Four main themes and related subthemes emerged including i) the perceived lack of mental ill health recognition, ii) highly variable patient and clinician interactions, iii) the impact of healthcare services, and iv) strategies for improvement.

CONCLUSION

Surgical patients with SMI want to be treated like everyone else whilst still having their mental ill health acknowledged and proactively managed despite this rarely occurring, which is valuable information for all surgical teams to consider and learn from. Participants were able to describe several readily implementable strategies to potentially improve their care and overall surgical experience, and as such highlight considerable opportunities for these to be tested and evaluated for this underserved patient group.

Non-psychiatric hospitalization length-of-stay for patients with psychotic disorders: A mixed methods study

OBJECTIVE

Patients with psychotic disorders experience higher rates of chronic and acute non-psychotic diseases and have frequent non-psychiatric hospitalizations which result in both longer and more varied length-of-stay (LoS) than other patients. This study seeks to use a patient-centered perspective to examine LoS.

METHODS

This article reports Phase Two of a mixed methods, exploratory sequential study on non-psychiatric hospitalizations for individuals with psychotic disorders. Patients' experiences were used to guide a quantitative analysis of LoS using a general linear model.

RESULTS

Medical comorbidities were the patient characteristics which had the largest effect on LoS. Certain processes of care highlighted by patients from Phase One were also associated with longer LoS, including: physical restraints (105%), psychiatric consults (20%) and continuous observation (133%). Only recent in-system outpatient appointments were associated with shorter LoS. Data integration highlighted that factors which were important to patients such as partner support, were not always quantitatively significant, while others like medical comorbidities and use of physical restraints were points of congruence.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical comorbidities were highly associated with LoS but processes relating to longer LoS are those that are used to manage symptoms of acute psychosis. Clinicians should develop policies and procedures that address psychosis symptoms effectively during non-psychiatric hospitalizations. Further research is needed to understand which patients with psychotic disorders are at highest risk of extended length-of-stay.

A Catastrophic Cascade of Postoperative Complications Following Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture in a Middle-Aged Patient With Schizophrenia

The treatment of a patient with schizophrenia suffering a subcapital hip fracture may be challenging, mainly due to the high risk of postoperative medical and surgical complications. Mechanical complications from the implant are also frequently encountered following hip arthroplasty in patients with schizophrenia. We report the case of a 57-year-old male patient with schizophrenia who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty for a displaced femoral neck fracture. During the initial postoperative period, the patient developed a cascade of surgical and mechanical complications, leading to multiple revision procedures and a suboptimal outcome. The ideal type of treatment of patients with schizophrenia with subcapital hip fracture is still missing. It is, therefore, important to highlight the high risk of postoperative complications in patients with schizophrenia who present with subcapital fractures subsequently treated with hemiarthroplasty. 

Hospitalization outcome of heart diseases between patients who received medical care by cardiologists and non-cardiologist physicians: A propensity-score matched study

Background and aims

The effects of physician specialty on the outcome of heart disease remains incompletely understood because of inconsistent findings from some previous studies. Our purpose is to compare the admission outcomes of heart disease in patients receiving care by cardiologists and noncardiologist (NC) physicians.

Methods

Using reimbursement claims data of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance from 2008–2013, we conducted a matched study of 6264 patients aged ≥20 years who received a cardiologist’s care during admission for heart disease. Using a propensity score matching procedure adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical condition, and type of heart disease, 6264 controls who received an NC physician’s care were selected. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for complications and mortality during admission for heart disease associated with a cardiologist’s care.

Results

Patients who received a cardiologist’s care had a lower risk of pneumonia (OR = 0.61; 95% CI, 0.53–0.70), septicemia (OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39–0.61), urinary tract infection (OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66–0.88), and in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.29–0.47) than did patients who received an NC physician’s care. The association between a cardiologist’s care and reduced adverse events following admission was significant in both sexes and in patients aged ≥40 years.

Conclusion

We raised the possibility that cardiologist care was associated with reduced infectious complications and mortality among patients who were admitted due to heart disease.

History of Serious Mental Illness Is a Predictor of Morbidity and Mortality in Cardiac Surgery

BACKGROUND

Serious mental illness (SMI), defined as a mental disorder causing functional impairment, affects 9.8 million Americans. SMI correlates with earlier onset, more extensive cardiac disease, and reduced life expectancy by 25 years. The impact of SMI on patients undergoing cardiac surgery has not been extensively studied. We hypothesized that patients with SMI have worse cardiac surgery outcomes.

METHODS

Using our institution's Society of Thoracic Surgeons database of 16,781 cardiac operations (2002-2017), a total of 1445 (8.7%) patients with SMI were identified and stratified into anxiety, mood disorders, and psychosis. The risk-adjusted impact on morbidity and mortality were evaluated using multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Patients with SMI were more often female patients, were younger, and had more comorbid disease. SMI patients were more likely to have had previous cardiac surgery and require urgent or emergent procedures (both P < .05). Among specific SMI diagnoses, patients with psychosis had worse outcomes compared with the general population, with higher operative mortality (9.1% vs 4.2%; P = .001), major morbidity (30.4% vs 15.8%; P < .0001), and cost ($50,211 vs $38,820; P < .001). After multivariable risk adjustment, SMI and psychosis remained independently associated with composite mortality and major morbidity (odds ratio, 1.21; P = .012; and odds ratio, 1.68; P = .003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SMI is independently associated with morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. SMI patients, especially the subset with psychosis, are complicated, high-risk, and resource-consuming. Refined strategies to reduce postoperative complications and improve care coordination are necessary in this population.

Mental illnesses among patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: Analysis from the National Readmissions Database

OBJECTIVE

Patients with a comorbid mental illness have been observed to have worse outcomes following surgery. However, little is known about the effects of mental disorders on patient outcomes following spinal surgery. In the current study, we sought to investigate the characteristics of patients with mental illness, particularly anxiety, major depressive disorder, concurrent anxiety and schizophrenia, and the impact of these comorbid conditions on outcomes of patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using a national administrative database.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was queried for patients undergoing an ACDF between 2012 and September 30th, 2015. The presence of anxiety, major depressive disorder, concurrent anxiety and schizophrenia were captured using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to establish an association between a mental comorbidity and risk of 30- and 90- day readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 139,877 patients undergoing elective ACDF between 2012-2015 were identified, of which 15,927 (11.39 %) had anxiety, 514 (0.38 %) had major depressive disorder, 248 (0.18 %) had concurrent anxiety and major depressive disorder, and 287 (0.21 %) had schizophrenia. Upon multivariable analysis of procedural related readmissions, adjusting for an array of patient and hospital related factors, patients with schizophrenia, compared to controls, had a significantly higher risk of 30-day readmission (OR 2.62, 95 %CI 1.42-4.84, p = 0.002); moreover, schizophrenia (OR = 1.92, 95 % CI 1.13-3.25, p = 0.016) anxiety (OR = 1.13, 95 %CI 1.02-1.26, p = 0.023) were also associated with significantly higher risk of 90-day readmission.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis indicates that mental illness comorbidities may be associated with increased rates of procedure related readmission and longer length of stay following elective ACDF.

A Nationwide Analysis on the Impact of Schizophrenia Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Matched-Control Analysis of 49,176 Medicare Patients

BACKGROUND

The influence of schizophrenia on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is limited in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA have (1) longer in-hospital length of stay (LOS); (2) higher readmission rates; (3) higher medical complications; (4) higher implant-related complications; and (5) higher costs of care compared to controls.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA were identified within the Medicare claims database. The study group was randomly matched in a 1:5 ratio to controls according to age, sex, and medical comorbidities. The query yielded 49,176 patients with (n = 8,196) and without (n = 40,980) schizophrenia undergoing primary TKA. Primary outcomes analyzed included in-hospital LOS, 90-day readmission rates, 90-day medical complications, 2-year implant-related complications, in addition to day of surgery and 90-day costs of care. A P-value less than .01 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Schizophrenia patients had longer in-hospital LOS (3.73 days vs 3.22 days, P < .0001) and had higher incidence and odds ratios (ORs) of readmission rates (18.26 vs 12.07%; OR: 1.58, P < .0001) compared to controls. Schizophrenia patients had higher incidence and odds of medical (3.23 vs 1.10%; OR: 2.99, P < .0001) and implant-related complications (5.92 vs 3.59%; OR: 1.68, P < .0001) and incurred significantly higher day of surgery ($13,300.58 vs $11,681.77, P < .0001) and 90-day costs of care ($18,222.18 vs $14,845.64, P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that patients with schizophrenia have longer in-hospital LOS, higher readmission rates, higher complications, and increased costs of care after primary TKA.

Previous Use of Mammography as a Proxy for General Health Checks in Association with Better Outcomes after Major Surgeries

Although previous studies have shown that health checks may improve several risk factors for chronic diseases, the effect of preoperative health checks on postoperative recovery in surgical patients remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between preoperative use of mammography and the risk of perioperative complications. We conducted a matched cohort study of 152,411 patients aged ≥47 years who received mammography screening and later underwent major surgery from 2008 to 2013. Using a propensity score matching procedure adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical condition, surgery type, and anesthesia type, 152,411 controls who underwent surgery but were not screened were selected. We collected patients’ characteristics and medical conditions from claims data of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality associated with mammography screening. Patients receiving mammography prior to major surgery had significantly lower risks of perioperative complications, including pneumonia, septicemia, acute renal failure, stroke, urinary tract infection, deep wound infection, acute myocardial infarction, intensive care unit stay, and 30 day in-hospital mortality (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.38–0.53). The association was consistent across each stratum of age, number of hospitalizations, emergency visits, and comorbidities. In conclusion, preoperative use of mammography was strongly associated with fewer perioperative complications and less in-hospital mortality after major surgeries. The evidence provided by this study justifies the implementation of preoperative health checks in clinical practice.

The association of mental health disease with perioperative outcomes following femoral neck fractures

INTRODUCTION

Mental illness in the United States is a growing problem, leading to significant implications for those effected as well as direct and indirect costs to the health care system. The association between psychiatric comorbidity and increased risk of perioperative adverse events has previously been described following elective orthopedic surgery, however, there is a paucity of literature evaluating the correlation between mental health disease and outcomes in patients in an orthopedic trauma setting.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the US National Hospital Discharge Survey, all patients undergoing surgery for femoral neck fracture were identified between the years 1990 and 2007. The association of depression, anxiety, dementia and schizophrenia on surgical outcomes were then analyzed using univariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

A cohort of 2,432,931 patients was identified. All psychiatric comorbidities were associated with a lower rate of routine discharge home following surgery (p < 0.001). Schizophrenia was associated with increased odds of any adverse event (p < 0.001), acute post-operative mechanical complications (p < 0.001) and increased length of stay (p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Patients undergoing surgery for femoral neck fracture with comorbid psychiatric illness are at increased risk for non-routine discharge. Schizophrenia is independently associated with an increased risk for post-operative complications. An awareness of these risks should optimize preoperative multidisciplinary patient care planning so as to maximize patient outcome and minimize resource utilization.

Preadmission use of antidepressants and risk of complications and death after colorectal cancer surgery: a nationwide population-based cohort study

AIM

Few studies have evaluated how preadmission use of antidepressants affects outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after they have undergone surgery. Therefore, our aim is to examine whether preadmission use of antidepressants increased the risk of complications and death in patients who underwent CRC surgery.

METHOD

Using the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group Database we identified patients who underwent CRC surgery in Denmark from 2005 to 2012. We identified prescriptions for antidepressants redeemed within 1 year prior to surgery and categorized patients as current users (≤ 90 days), former users (91-365 days) and nonusers. All patients were followed from surgery to 30 days thereafter or to death. We calculated 30-day rates of complications, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality and compared these between users and nonusers using logistic and Cox regression adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Of 27 374 patients, 8.9% were current users and 3.0% were former users. Antidepressant users were older and had more comorbidity but a similar cancer stage. Compared with nonusers, current users had a higher risk of postoperative reoperation [adjusted odds ratio (aORs) = 1.15 (95% CI 1.02-1.30)], medical complications [aORs = 1.41 (95% CI 1.25-1.60)] and increased ICU admission rate [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.32 (95% CI 1.21-1.45)]. The 30-day mortality was 11.4% for current users, 9.1% for former users and 6.2% for nonusers [aHR = 1.34 (95% CI 1.17-1.53) for current vs nonusers].

CONCLUSION

Patients with preadmission use of antidepressants had a higher risk of complications and ICU admission, and higher 30-day mortality following CRC surgery than nonusers.

Patients with stroke and psychiatric comorbidities have lower carotid revascularization rates

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether mental illness is associated with lower rates of carotid endarterectomy (CEA)/carotid artery stenting (CAS) after stroke due to carotid stenosis.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, ischemic stroke cases due to carotid stenosis were identified in the 2007-2014 Nationwide (National) Inpatient Sample. Psychiatric conditions were identified by secondary ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes for schizophrenia/psychoses, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Using logistic regression, we tested the association between psychiatric conditions and CEA/CAS, controlling for demographic, clinical, and hospital factors.

RESULTS

Among 37,474 included stroke cases, 6,922 (18.5%) had a psychiatric comorbidity. The presence of any psychiatric condition was associated with lower odds of CEA/CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.90). Schizophrenia/psychoses (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55-0.93), depression (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.91), and substance use disorders (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65-0.83) were each associated with lower odds of CEA/CAS. The association of mental illness and CEA/CAS was dose-dependent: compared to patients without mental illness, patients with multiple psychiatric comorbidities (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.87) had lower odds of CEA/CAS than those with only one psychiatric comorbidity (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.92; p value for trend <0.001).

CONCLUSION

The odds of carotid revascularization after stroke is lower in patients with mental illness, particularly those with schizophrenia/psychoses, depression, substance use disorders, and multiple psychiatric diagnoses.

Effect of Influenza Vaccination Against Postoperative Pneumonia and Mortality for Geriatric Patients Receiving Major Surgery: A Nationwide Matched Study

Background

Limited information is available on the association between influenza vaccination and postoperative outcomes.

Methods

Using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database reimbursement claims data from 2008-2013, we conducted a matched cohort study of 16903 patients aged >66 years who received influenza vaccinations and later underwent major surgery. Using a propensity score matching procedure adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical condition, surgery type, and anesthesia type, 16903 controls who underwent surgery but were not vaccinated were selected. Logistic regressions were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for postoperative pneumonia and in-hospital mortality associated with influenza vaccination.

Results

Patients who received preoperative influenza vaccination had a lower risk of postoperative pneumonia (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, .56-.64) and in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, .39-.56), compared with unvaccinated patients, in both sexes and every age group. Vaccinated patients who underwent surgery also had a decreased risk of postoperative intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, .53-.60), shorter hospital stays (P < .0001), and lower medical expenditures (P < .0001) than nonvaccinated controls.

Conclusions

Vaccinated geriatric patients who underwent surgery had lower risks of pneumonia and in-hospital mortality, compared with unvaccinated patients who underwent similar major surgeries. Further studies are needed to explain how preoperative influenza vaccination improves perioperative outcomes.

Effects of red yeast rice prescription (LipoCol Forte) on adverse outcomes of surgery

BACKGROUND

The influence of red yeast rice (RYR) on perioperative outcome remains unknown.

AIM

We aimed to compare the complications and mortality after surgery between patients treated with and without RYR prescription.

DESIGN

In this surgical cohort study of 3.6 million surgical patients who underwent major inpatient surgeries, 2581 patients who used RYR prescription pre-operatively were compared with 25 810 non-RYR patients selected by matching for age and sex.

METHODS

Patients' demographics and medical conditions were collected from the claims data of the National Health Insurance in Taiwan. Complications and mortality after major surgeries in association with RYR prescription were investigated by calculating adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Compared with patients without RYR prescription, patients prescribed RYR had lower risks of post-operative bleeding (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.15-0.89), pneumonia (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.83), stroke (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.92) and 30-day in-hospital mortality (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.15-0.92). Decreased risk of intensive care (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.54-0.77), shorter length of hospital stay (P < 0.001) and lower medical expenditures (P = 0.0008) during the index surgical admission were also noted for patients with RYR prescription compared to those for patients without RYR prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a potentially positive effect of RYR on outcomes after major surgeries. However, patient non-compliance for taking medication should be noted. Our findings require future prospective studies to validate RYR prescription for improving perioperative outcomes.

Impact of psychiatric comorbidity on the severity, short-term functional outcome, and psychiatric complications after acute stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The comorbidity of psychiatric disorders and cerebrovascular disease appears to be complex with underlying bidirectional influences. Hitherto, research has focused mainly on the evaluation of stroke risk in particular psychiatric disorders; only a few studies have assessed their role in the acute natural history of stroke. The aim of this study was to provide a perspective on psychiatric premorbidity and its impact on stroke severity, psychiatric complications during the initial treatment phase, and the short-term functional outcome of stroke.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively studied the impact of a predocumented psychiatric diagnosis (PDPD) on stroke severity, short-term functional outcome, and psychiatric complications in a sample of 798 patients consecutively admitted for acute ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke by performing a chart review. Group comparisons (PDPD vs non-PDPD) with adjustment for covariates were carried out either using multivariate analysis of variance or logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

More severe strokes (ie, mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score on admission 10.1±7.9 vs 7.5±7.4; F(10,796)=18.5, p<0.0001) and higher prevalence of poor outcome (73.7 vs 54.9%; OR: 2.6, standard error: 0.5, z=4.82, p<0.0001) was found in patients with a documented psychiatric diagnosis at the time of stroke, as well as a higher rate of psychiatric complications during the initial treatment phase (46.7 vs 28.9%; OR: -0.78, z=4.59, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Our data have clinical implications in that they call for identification of psychiatric premorbidity or comorbidity through careful history-taking and particularly close monitoring for psychiatric complications with respect to their potentially negative impact on outcome after stroke.

Hand functions in patients with schizophrenia: A clinical comparison with bipolar disorder and healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE

Failure to achieve expected level of motor functioning may be a significant contributor to social withdrawal and further attenuation of life quality in patients with schizophrenia. Hand functioning is one of the most crucial entities in that manner. This study aimed to reveal this question by means of comparing patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who are receiving similar antipsychotic psychopharmacological agents along with healthy control subjects.

METHODS

99 patients with schizophrenia were compared to 40 patients with bipolar disorder matched according to the received pharmacotherapy comprising similar antipsychotics and 81 medication-free socio-demographically matched healthy control subjects. The materials were Hand Functional Index (HFI), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) along with clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Difference in total scores of DHI and HFI between schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and control groups were extremely significant (p < 0.001). Further post-hoc subgroup analysis revealed that patients with schizophrenia demonstrated higher scores of HFI indicating worse performance when compared to both bipolar disorder and control group. Significantly higher scores of DHI in patients with schizophrenia than healthy controls were noted.

CONCLUSION

Independent from the impact of the medication use, impairment in hand functions was found to be more frequently seen in schizophrenia when compared to patients with bipolar disorder and healthy subjects. It is evident that hand function impairment is seen independent from psychopharmacological side effect, and is recommended to be assessed as a possible preventable and retractable manifestation of schizophrenia.

Refractory Schizophrenia, Attempted Suicide, and Withdrawal of Life Support: A Clinical Ethics Case Report

BACKGROUND

Withdrawal of life support for an individual with refractory schizophrenia after attempted suicide remains controversial. Discussion regarding prognosis of mental illness and the distinction between somatic and mental illness brings out many ethical issues. This article will examine the role and weight of severe persistent mental illness in the withdrawal of life support after attempted suicide.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 30-year-old gentleman with deafness and schizophrenia was admitted with multiple self-inflicted visceral stab wounds. He developed postoperative complications necessitating ongoing critical care. The parties involved were as follows: the patient, his parents, the critical care trauma service, the palliative and psychiatry consult services, and the ethics committee. Over the patient's hospital course, his parents struggled to reconcile his poor preinjury quality of life with his ongoing need for intensive medical intervention. The primary and consulting teams were required to integrate differing perspectives on the patient's past responsiveness to treatment and the extent to which additional efforts might advance his quality of life and limit his future suffering and suicidality. The patient's surrogate decision makers unanimously requested withdrawal of life support. An ethics committee convened to address the question of whether refractory schizophrenia can produce so poor a quality of life as to merit the withdrawal of life-sustaining measures after a suicide attempt. Consensus was achieved, and life-sustaining measures were subsequently withdrawn, allowing the patient to pass away peacefully in an inpatient hospice facility.

Impact of serious mental illness on surgical patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

People with comorbid mental illness have poorer health status and disparate access to healthcare. Several studies internationally have reported mixed findings regarding the association between mental illness and surgical patient outcomes. This study examines the surgical outcomes in people with decompensated serious mental illness (SMI) within the setting of the Australian universal healthcare system.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study involving elective overnight surgical patients aged 18 years and above who attended a large public tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia, between 2010 and 2014. Patients were identified using ICD-10-AM diagnosis codes. Outcomes measure including in-hospital mortality, post-operative complications, morbidity, admission and time in intensive care, length and cost of hospitalization, discharge destination and 28-day re-admission rates were examined.

RESULTS

Of 23 343 surgical patient admissions, 451 (2%) patients had decompensated comorbid SMI with a subset of 47 (0.2%) having a specific psychotic illness. Patients with SMI comorbidity had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (2% versus 0%), post-operative complications (22% versus 8%), total comorbidity (7.6 versus 3.4 secondary codes), admissions (29% versus 9%) and time in intensive care (34.6 h versus 5.0 h), stay in hospital (12.2 days versus 4.6 days), admission costs ($24 162 versus $12 336), re-admission within 28 days (14% versus 10%) and discharges to another facility (11% versus 3%).

CONCLUSION

Patients with comorbid SMI had significantly worse surgical outcomes and incur much higher costs compared with the general surgical population. These results strongly highlight that specific perioperative interventions are needed to proactively improve the identification, management and outcomes for these disadvantaged patients.

Disparity of end-of-life care in cancer patients with and without schizophrenia: A nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Cancer patients with schizophrenia may face disparities in end-of life care, and it is unclear whether schizophrenia affects their medical care and treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based cohort study based on the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The study population included patients >20years old who were newly diagnosed as having one of six common cancers between 2000 and 2012 (schizophrenia cohort: 1911 patients with both cancer and schizophrenia; non-schizophrenia cohort: 7644 cancer patients without schizophrenia). We used a multiple logistic regression model to analyze the differences in medical treatment between the two cohorts in the final 1 and 3months of life.

RESULTS

In the 1month before death, there was higher intensive care unit utilization in the schizophrenia group [odd ratio (OR)=1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.07-1.36] and no significant differences between the groups in-hospital stay length or hospice care. The schizophrenia patients received less chemotherapy (OR=0.60, 95% CI=0.55-0.66) but more invasive interventions, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (OR=1.34, 95% CI=1.15-1.57). Advanced diagnostic examinations, such as computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging/sonography (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.71-0.89), were used less often for the schizophrenia patients. The 1- and 3-month prior to death results were similar.

CONCLUSION

End-of-life cancer patients with schizophrenia underwent more frequent invasive treatments but less chemotherapy and examinations. Treatment plans/advance directives should be discussed with patients/families early to enhance end-of-life care quality and reduce health care disparities caused by schizophrenia.

Safety of service users with severe mental illness receiving inpatient care on medical and surgical wards: A systematic review

This review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the likelihood of harm and mortality on medical and surgical inpatient wards for people with severe mental illness (SMI). From 937 results identified through database searching, and a further 10 papers identified through citation searching and hand searching, 11 papers met the criteria for inclusion in the final review. This review did not find strong evidence for higher in-hospital mortality in people with SMI. There was evidence that adverse events are higher in people with SMI. A higher likelihood of emergency instead of planned care, and poorer access to treatment were identified as potential contributing factors to these adverse events. In addition, service users with SMI were more likely to have a longer length of stay, associated with a higher cost of care. The severity of the mental illness increased the likelihood of harm or death, and people with schizophrenia were more likely than people with other mental illnesses to experience these adverse outcomes. There is evidence that people with SMI are provided with lower-quality health care, whereas higher-quality, better-planned care is required to overcome the inequalities in access faced by this vulnerable population.

Parity of esteem: Addressing the inequalities between mental and physical healthcare

Parity of esteem means valuing mental health as much as physical health in order to close inequalities in mortality, morbidity or delivery of care. There is clear evidence that patients with mental illness receive inferior medical, surgical and preventive care. This further exacerbated by low help-seeking, high stigma, medication side-effects and relatively low resources in mental healthcare. As a result, patients with severe mental illness die 10–20 years prematurely and have a high rate of cardiometabolic complications and other physical illnesses. Many physical healthcare guidelines and policy recommendations address parity of esteem, but their implementation to date has been poor. All clinicians should be aware that inequalities in care are adversely influencing mental health outcomes, and managers, healthcare organisations and politicians should provide resources and education to address this gap.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the concept of parity of esteem

• Be aware of the current inequalities in mental healthcare

• Appreciate how parity of esteem may be improved