Psychological Factors Affecting Outcomes After Elective Shoulder Surgery

Effects of esketamine on postoperative negative emotions and early cognitive disorders in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery: A randomized controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether a single dosage of esketamine injection in the anesthesia period could improve postoperative negative emotions and early cognitive function in patients undergoing non-cardiac thoracic surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective single center double blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial.

SETTING

Perioperative period; operating room, post anesthesia care unit and hospital ward.

PATIENTS

129 adult patients that underwent elective non-cardiac thoracic surgery under general anesthesia.

INTERVENTIONS

During the operation, pharmacologic prevention of postoperative negative emotion and early cognitive disorder with 0.2 mg/kg (Low esketamine group) and 0.5 mg/kg esketamine (High esketamine group) vs. placebo.

MEASUREMENTS

Emotion and early cognitive performance were assessed on the day before surgery (POD-1), postoperative day 1 (POD1) and day 3 (POD3) using HADS-A, HADS-D, Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and serum biomarkers (S100β, BDNF, IL-6, acetylcholine, and norepinephrine).

MAIN RESULTS

The high esketamine group showed significantly lower HADS-A and HADS-D scores than control group on POD1 and POD3. No significant differences were observed between the low esketamine group and the control group. The esketamine-treated groups showed lower pain VAS scores than the control group at 2 h and on the first day after operation. There were no significant differences among the three groups in CAM and MMSE scores. However, the high esketamine group had lower S100β and IL-6 levels, and higher BDNF levels postoperatively, while serum acetylcholine and norepinephrine were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

A single intraoperative injection of 0.5 mg/kg esketamine can alleviate postoperative anxiety, depression, and pain to some extent. Although cognitive function behavioral evaluation did not show obvious benefits, it can also reduce the production of pro-inflammatory and brain injury-related factors while promoting the generation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Registration Trial registry: http://www.chictr.org.cn/; Identifier: ChiCTR2100047067.

Consensus on the preoperative management of patients with chronic moderate to severe shoulder pain to improve postoperative outcomes: Delphi results

BACKGROUND

Appropriate preoperative management of patients with chronic moderate to severe shoulder pain who are candidates for surgery owing to rotator cuff disease or glenohumeral osteoarthritis may improve surgery and patient outcomes, but published evidence in this regard is scarce. Therefore, the availability of recommendations on preoperative interventions based on expert consensus may serve as guidance.

METHODS

A Delphi study was conducted to develop a preoperative management algorithm based on a national expert consensus. A Delphi questionnaire was developed by a scientific committee following a systematic review of the relevant literature published during the past 10 years using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) criteria. It consisted of 48 statements divided into 5 blocks (block I, assessment and diagnosis of preoperative pain; block II, preoperative function and psychosocial aspects; block III, therapeutic objectives; block IV, treatment; and block V, follow-up and referral), and 28 experienced shoulder surgeons from across the country were invited to answer.

RESULTS

All participants responded to the Delphi questionnaire in the first round, and 25 responded in the second round (89.3% of those invited). Overall, 46 of 49 final statements reached a consensus, on the basis of which a final preoperative management algorithm was defined by the scientific committee. First, surgeons should assess shoulder pain intensity and characteristics, shoulder functionality, and psychosocial aspects using specific validated questionnaires. Preoperative therapeutic objectives should include shoulder pain control, depression and/or nocturnal sleep improvement, opioid consumption adjustment, and substance abuse cessation. Postoperative objectives regarding the degree of shoulder pain reduction or improvement in functionality and/or quality of life should be established in agreement with the patient. Treatment of preoperative chronic moderate to severe shoulder pain should comprise nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic interventions. Follow-up of the shoulder pain levels, treatment adherence, and mental health status of these patients may be carried out by the surgical team (surgeon and anesthesiologist) together with the primary care team. Patients with very intense shoulder pain levels may be referred to a pain unit following specific protocols.

CONCLUSION

A preoperative management algorithm for patients with chronic moderate to severe shoulder pain who are candidates for surgery owing to rotator cuff disease or glenohumeral osteoarthritis was defined based on a national expert consensus. Main points include comprehensive patient management starting with an objective assessment of shoulder pain and function, as well as quality of life; establishment of preoperative and postoperative therapeutic targets; prescription of individualized therapeutic interventions; and multidisciplinary patient follow-up. Implementation of these recommendations into clinical practice may result in better preoperative shoulder pain management and more successful surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in sacral tumour surgery and comprehensive description of a multidisciplinary program: a prospective study in a specialized hospital in China

PURPOSE

There were fewer data to guide the application of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) theory into sacral tumour surgery. In the present study, we were aiming to describe a multidisciplinary program of ERAS and evaluate the availability in sacral tumour surgery.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of patients with sacral tumour between March 2021 and September 2021 at a single centre. We proposed a multidisciplinary program of ERAS for pre-admission, preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and post-discharge clinical care which positively influenced outcomes of patients with sacral tumour. All patients were prospectively assigned into two groups, ERAS group in which patients received ERAS protocols (n = 63), No-ERAS group in which patients had conventional clinical pathways (n = 62). Patient data were collected which included demographics, preoperative preparation, detailed information of surgical procedure, 60-day reoperation rate, 60-day readmission, postoperative length of stay (PLOS), time to first ambulation and flatus after surgery, time to removal of last drainage tube, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at first ambulation and discharge. Complications referred to ones that occurred within 60 days after surgery. The above parameters were compared between ERAS group and No-ERAS group.

RESULTS

Time to first ambulation after surgery in ERAS group (mean 20.9 h) was significantly shorter than that in No-ERAS group (mean 104.3 ho). Meanwhile, time to first flatus after surgery in ERAS group (mean 26.7 h) was also significantly shorter than that in No-ERAS group (mean 37.3 h). Patients in ERAS group had statistically shorter PLOS (10.7 days) as compared to that in No-ERAS group (13.8 days). In ERAS group, 19 of 63 patients (30.2%) were discharged within seven days after surgery as compared to seven of 62 patients (11.3%) in No-ERAS group. VAS score at first ambulation in ERAS group was not obviously higher than that in No-ERAS group though the time of first ambulation in ERAS group was statistically earlier than one in No-ERAS group. Furthermore, VAS score at discharge in ERAS group was significantly lower than that in No-ERAS group. The rate of postoperative incision necrosis was 6.3% (4/63) in ERAS group and 8.1% (5/62) in No-ERAS group and all of these nine patients underwent reoperation before discharge. The difference was not statistically significant in the wound complication of incision necrosis and 60-day reoperation rate. Only one readmission occurred in No-ERAS group due to the surgical site infection and also there was no significant difference of 60-day readmission rate between these two groups. Furthermore, there was no statistical difference of complications of femoral artery thrombosis and rectal rupture between ERAS group and No-ERAS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our proposed ERAS pathway for sacral tumour surgery and early walking facilitate safe and prompt discharge. ERAS protocols of sacral tumour surgery could decrease PLOS without significantly increasing postoperative complications, 60-day readmission rate and 60-day reoperation rate. The application of ERAS pathway in the field of sacral tumour surgery should have personalized feature with regard to resection type.

Hip Preservation Surgery in Patients With Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome and Acetabular Dysplasia Improves Functional Measures and Pain Catastrophizing

Background Chronic hip pain is a debilitating condition that severely reduces one's quality of life. Prior studies uncovered a link between hip pathologies and pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether hip preservation surgery in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and acetabular dysplasia (AD) improves functional outcomes and pain catastrophizing. Methods Patients with FAIS and AD were requested to complete a hip questionnaire both preoperatively and postoperatively at a single academic center (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA). Pain catastrophizing was evaluated using the pain catastrophizing scale, and pain level was assessed using the visual analog scale. Assessments of hip functional outcomes included the hip outcome score (HOS) and the hip disability and osteoarthritis outcome score (HOOS). Outcome measures before and after treatment were compared using the dependent samples t-test. A correlation analysis, using the Spearman partial correlation coefficient (rs), was conducted to evaluate the relationship between variables. Results The results indicated a clinically significant improvement in functional measures and pain catastrophizing in patients who underwent hip preservation surgery. The most significant discovery was an inverse relationship between both HOOS quality of life (rs=-0.293, p=0.0065, false discovery rate (FDR)=0.0210) and HOS activities of daily living (rs=-0.242, p=0.0254, FDR=0.0423) and pain catastrophizing; however, similar improvements were seen in pain catastrophizing with improvements in other functional outcomes. Conclusion Undergoing hip preservation surgery for patients with AD or FAIS improved their hip functional measures and decreased pain catastrophizing postoperatively. The improvement of hip function, quality of life, and pain catastrophizing reveals an intricate link between the functional outcomes of hip preservation surgery and pain catastrophizing.

Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy Is Supportive for Orthopedic Rehabilitation among the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to determine the efficacy of VR therapy in mitigating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among older adults following arthroplasty surgery and to comprehend the influence of psychological improvement on changes in functional outcomes.

METHODS

Utilizing a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design, the study involved 68 osteoarthritis patients who had recently undergone either total hip or knee arthroplasty. Subjects were split into two groups. The experimental group underwent eight VR therapy sessions during their rehabilitation, while the control group was given standard care. Assessments encompassed both psychological and functional outcomes, with tools like the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Barthel Index, among others. The experimental group showcased notable enhancements in both psychological and functional areas compared to the control group.

RESULTS

A significant (p value of < 0.001) relationship was found between psychological progress and functional recovery, indicating that psychological factors can serve as predictors for functional outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings emphasize the promising role of VR therapy as a beneficial addition to the rehabilitation process for older adults' post-hip and knee arthroplasty. The integration of psychological interventions in standard rehabilitation practices appears valuable, but further studies are needed to ascertain the long-term advantages of such an approach.

Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression psychometrically underperforms compared to legacy measures and is poorly associated with postoperative functional outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty patients

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between each mental health patient-reported outcome measure with postoperative functional outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty, and to compare psychometric properties of patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression to the legacy (VR-12 Mental) patient-reported outcome measure.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary shoulder arthroplasty from July 2018 to February 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression and VR-12 Mental were administered preoperatively; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation were administered at 6-month and 1-year postoperatively. Rasch partial credit modeling analysis was used to compare psychometric properties of legacy versus patient-reported outcomes measurement information system instruments in assessing mental health.

Results

Ninety-three patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (n = 52), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (n = 39), or hemiarthroplasty (n = 2) were included. Preoperative VR-12 Mental scores were moderately associated with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons at 6-months (coefficient: 0.52, P = 0.026) and 1-year (coefficient: 0.65, P = 0.002), while preoperative patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression scores were not. Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression demonstrated significant floor effects (16%); VR-12 Mental demonstrated minimal floor and ceiling effects (1.1% for both). VR-12 Mental demonstrated broader coverage of mental outlook on Rasch modeling than patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression and had adequate model fit after one round of reiterative item elimination.

Discussion

Patient-reported outcomes measurement information system depression was poorly associated with postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, demonstrated significant floor effects, and had limited coverage of mental health on Rasch modeling with reiterative elimination.

Level of Evidence

IV.

A systematic review of biopsychosocial prognostic factors of recovery after a proximal humerus fracture

BACKGROUND

Proximal humerus fracture (PHF) is a common upper extremity injury. PHF often causes prolonged disability and interferes with independent function.

PURPOSE

This study reviewed and summarized prognostic factors of recovery following PHF and classified them within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) with each domain sub-categorized by modifiability.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsychINFO from the date of database inception to March 2019 and updated searches in December 2021. Studies included examining an association between prognostic factors and recovery with at least a 6-month follow-up. Two independent reviewers used the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool for methodological bias and levels of evidence. Designs showed wide variability in terms of characteristics of the included population, definition of recovery, assessment of prognostic factors, and outcome measures used. This prevented pooled estimates from being produced. Prognostic factors linked to ICF domains were possible.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies including 4323 participants aged ≥18 met inclusion criteria. The risk of bias was low (35%), moderate (30%), and high (35%) across the included studies. Moderate evidence showed a significant association between pre-fracture functional independence and post-fracture complications with recovery. Fracture type, structural deformity, medication use, age, and gender were prognostic factors with inconclusive evidence. We assigned a weak level of evidence to the remaining 20 factors due to limited data. Immediate rehabilitation, compliance to post-fracture rehabilitation exercise, task-oriented exercise, and pain self-efficacy (i.e., coping behavior) are modifiable and are tapped into the ICF contextual factors.

CONCLUSIONS

An array of factors that fit within an ICF biopsychosocial framework have been investigated as potential mediators of outcomes after PHF. The evidence is incomplete conceptually and in terms of research design quality. Preoperative functional status is predictive of functional recovery emphasizing the importance of healthy aging.

One-year patient-reported outcomes following primary arthroscopic rotator cuff repair vary little by surgeon

Background

This study's purpose was to investigate the extent to which differences among operating surgeons may influence 1-year patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair (RCR) surgery, after controlling for general and disease-specific patient factors. We hypothesized that surgeon would be additionally associated with 1-year PROMs, specifically the baseline to 1-year improvement in Penn Shoulder Score (PSS).

Methods

We used mixed multivariable statistical modeling to assess the influence of surgeon (and alternatively surgical case volume) on 1-year PSS improvement in patients undergoing RCR at a single health system in 2018, controlling for eight patient- and six disease-specific preoperative factors as possible confounders. Contributions of predictors to explaining variation in 1-year PSS improvement were measured and compared using Akaike's Information Criterion.

Results

518 cases performed by 28 surgeons met inclusion criteria, with median (quartiles) baseline PSS of 41.9 (31.9, 53.9) and 1-year PSS improvement of 42 (29.1, 55.3) points. Contrary to expectation, surgeon and surgical case volume were neither statistically significantly nor clinically meaningfully associated with 1-year PSS improvement. Baseline PSS and mental health status (VR-12 MCS) were the dominant and only statistically significant predictors of 1-year PSS improvement, with lower baseline PSS and higher VR-12 MCS predicting larger 1-year PSS improvement.

Conclusion

Patients generally reported excellent 1-year outcomes following primary RCR. This study did not find evidence that the individual surgeon or surgeon case volume influences 1-year PROMs, independently of case-mix factors, following primary RCR in a large employed hospital system.

Patient Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Decision Making: A Multi-Center Comparative Study

Objective

Investigate the patient opinion on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Orthopaedics.

Methods

397 orthopaedic patients from a large urban academic center and a rural health system completed a 37-component survey querying patient demographics and perspectives on clinical scenarios involving AI. An average comfort score was calculated from thirteen Likert-scale questions (1, not comfortable; 10, very comfortable). Secondary outcomes requested a binary opinion on whether it is acceptable for patient healthcare data to be used to create AI (yes/no) and the impact of AI on: orthopaedic care (positive/negative); healthcare cost (increase/decrease); and their decision to refuse healthcare if cost increased (yes/no). Bivariate and multivariable analyses were employed to identify characteristics that impacted patient perspectives.

Results

The average comfort score across the population was 6.4, with significant bivariate differences between age (p = 0.0086), gender (p = 0.0001), education (p = 0.0029), experience with AI/ML (p < 0.0001), survey format (p < 0.0001), and four binary outcomes (p < 0.05). When controlling for age and education, multivariable regression identified significant relationships between comfort score and experience with AI/ML (p = 0.0018) and each of the four binary outcomes (p < 0.05). In the final multivariable model gender, survey format, perceived impact of AI on orthopaedic care, and the decision to refuse care if it were to increase cost remained significantly associated with the average AI comfort score (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients were not comfortable undergoing surgery entirely by a robot with distant physician supervision compared to close supervision.

Conclusion

The orthopaedic patient appears comfortable with AI joining the care team.

The Unhappy Shoulder: A Conceptual Review of the Psychosomatics of Shoulder Pain

INTRODUCTION

Chronic pain is a multifaceted disorder genuinely entangled with psychic and psychosomatic symptoms, which are typically involved in the processes of chronification. The impingement syndrome of the shoulder is no exception to this rule, but several studies have shown respective peculiarities among those with pain and impingement of the shoulder. Notably, chronic pain is a lateralized experience, and, similarly, its psychosomatic correlates may be attached to the hemispheres functionally.

AIM

The present review therefore gives an overview of the respective findings, with regard not only to psychopathology, but also to personality factors and psychologic trauma, since the latter are reportedly associated with chronic pain. Moreover, we acknowledge symmetry as a possible pathogenic factor.

METHODS

This narrative review followed the current standards for conducting narrative studies. Based on prior findings, our research strategy included the relevance of psychotraumatologic and symmetrical aspects, as well as comorbidity. We retrieved the relevant literature reporting on the impact of psychopathology as well as personality features on shoulder pain, as published up to January 2022 from the Medline database (1966-2022). Study selecton: We included numerous studies, and considered the contextual relevance of studies referring to the neuropsychosomatics of chronic pain.

RESULTS

Pain-specific fears, depression, and anxiety are important predictors of shoulder pain, and the latter is generally overrepresented in those with trauma and PTSD. Moreover, associations of shoulder pain with psychological variables are stronger as regards surgical therapies as compared to conservative ones. This may point to a specific and possibly trauma-related vulnerability for perioperative maladaptation. Additionally, functional hemispheric lateralization may explain some of those results given that limb pain is a naturally lateralized experience. Not least, psychosocial risk factors are shared between shoulder pain and its physical comorbidities (e.g., hypertension), and the incapacitated state of the shoulder is a massive threat to the function of the human body as a whole.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests the involvement of psychosomatic and psychotraumatologic factors in shoulder impingement-related chronic pain, but the inconclusiveness and heterogeneity of the literature in the field is possibly suggestive of other determinants such as laterality.

Age-related differences in cognition and postoperative quality of recovery after beach chair position shoulder surgery

We examined the influence of age in beach chair position shoulder surgery and postoperative quality of recovery by conducting a single-site, observational, cohort study comparing younger aged (18-40 years) versus older aged (at least 60 years) patients admitted for elective shoulder surgery in the beach chair position. Endpoints were dichotomous return of function to each patient's individual preoperative baseline as assessed using the postoperative quality of recovery scale; measuring cognition, nociception, physiological, emotional, functional activities and overall perspective. We recruited 112 (41 younger and 71 older aged) patients. There was no statistical difference in cognitive recovery at day three postoperatively (primary outcome): 26/32 younger patients (81%) versus 43/60 (72%) older patients, P=0.45. Rates of recovery were age-dependent on domain and time frame (secondary outcomes), with older patients recovering faster in the nociceptive domain (P=0.02), slower in the emotional domain (P=0.02) and not different in the physiological, functional activities and overall perspective domains (all P >0.35). In conclusion, we did not show any statistically significant difference in cognitive outcomes between younger and older patients using our perioperative anaesthesia and analgesia management protocol. Irrespective of age, 70% of patients recovered by three months in all domains.

Non-Adherence to Pain Medication Increases Risk of Postoperative Frozen Shoulder

Background

Postoperative frozen shoulder (FS) or adhesive capsulitis is a relatively frequent complication (5-20%), even after simple arthroscopic shoulder surgeries. The pathophysiology is still unclear, but psychological factors may play a pivotal role. From clinical experience, we hypothesized that patients, who are reluctant to take medications, particularly "pain-killers," have an increased incidence of postoperative FS.

Methods

We identified twenty patients who underwent limited arthroscopic operations of the shoulder and developed postoperative FS. Twenty patients with matching type of surgery, age, and gender served as control group (n = 20). All patients were at least one year postoperative and asymptomatic at the time of examination. Demographic data, the patient's adherence to self-medication (including self-medicating scale, SMS), development the Quality of life (QoL), and depression scale (PHQ-4-questionnaire) were assessed.

Results

Patients with FS had a 2-fold longer rehabilitation and 3-fold longer work inability compared to the patients without FS (P < 0.009 and P < 0.003, respectively). Subjective shoulder value SSV (P = 0.075) and post-operative improvement of QoL (P = 0.292) did not differ among the groups. There was a trend-but not significant-toward less coherence to self-medication in the FS-group (26.50 vs. 29.50; P = 0.094). Patients with postoperative FS significantly more often stated not to have "taken pain-killers as prescribed" (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Patients reporting unwillingness to take the prescribed pain medications had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative FS. It remains unclear whether the increased risk of developing FS is due to reduced postoperative analgesia or a critical attitude toward taking medication. However, patients who are reluctant to take painkillers should strongly be encouraged to take medications as prescribed.

What happens to patients undergoing cancer surgery with psychiatric comorbidities?: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to describe the surgical outcomes and readmissions rates in patients with psychological comorbidities who underwent surgical intervention for cancer.

BACKGROUND

The Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, a campaign by the Affordable Care Act, penalizes hospitals for greater readmission rates. One prevalent patient risk factor associated with hospital readmission is a comorbid psychiatric condition. Currently, no studies exist identifying psychiatric comorbidities and their effects on patients with cancer undergoing surgical intervention.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was performed using the Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2010-2014 and included adult patients undergoing cancer resection operations. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were utilized to assess determinants of surgical outcomes and readmissions.

RESULTS

Of 1 016 636 eligible patients, 11.6% had psychiatric comorbidities. Patients with psychiatric disorders had greater risks of mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-1.25), complications (OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 1.50-1.52), extended length of stay (OR = 1.21, 95%CI = 1.20-1.22), and incurred healthcare expenditure at primary admission (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.15-1.18). Psychiatric comorbidities were associated with an increased likelihood of readmission (OR = 1.13, 95%CI = 1.11-1.15).

CONCLUSIONS

Concomitant psychiatric conditions were attributed to poor surgical outcomes and a higher risk of readmissions. Multidisciplinary care within the perioperative setting should be encouraged for patients with psychiatric disorders.

Establishing Clinically Significant Outcomes for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System After Biceps Tenodesis

PURPOSE

To establish thresholds for improvement in patient-reported outcome scores that correspond with clinically significant outcomes (CSOs) including the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), substantial clinical benefit (SCB), and patient acceptable symptomatic state (PASS) for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) upper extremity (UE) computer adaptive testing (CAT) and pain interference (PIF) CAT after biceps tenodesis (BT) and to assess patient variables that are associated with achieving these outcomes.

METHODS

After institutional review board approval was obtained, a prospectively maintained institutional database was queried for patients undergoing BT between December 2017 and August 2019. Patients undergoing BT in isolation or BT in conjunction with rotator cuff debridement, SLAP repair, subacromial decompression, or distal clavicle excision were included in the analysis. Anchor- and distribution-based methods were used to calculate the MCID whereas an anchor-based method was used to calculate SCB and the PASS for PROMIS UE CAT and PIF CAT.

RESULTS

A total of 112 patients (86.8% follow-up) who underwent BT were included for analysis. The MCID, net SCB, absolute SCB, and PASS for PROMIS UE CAT were 4.02, 9.25, 43.4, and 41.1, respectively. The MCID, net SCB, absolute SCB, and PASS for PROMIS PIF CAT were -4.12, -10.7, 52.4, and 52.4, respectively. Higher preoperative UE CAT and PIF CAT scores, preoperative opioid use, depression, and living alone were negative predictors of CSO achievement. Male sex and regular participation in exercise were positive predictors of CSO achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with higher preoperative UE scores were less likely to achieve the MCID (odds ratio [OR], 0.84), whereas patients with higher preoperative PIF scores were less likely to achieve absolute SCB and the PASS (OR, 0.83-0.89). Most patients achieved the MCID for PIF CAT (70.5%) and UE CAT (62.5%) at final follow-up. Male sex (OR, 4.38-9.15) and regular exercise participation (OR, 6.45-18.94) positively predicted CSO achievement, whereas preoperative opioid use (OR, 0.06), depression (OR, 0.23), and living alone (OR, 0.90) were negative predictors of CSO achievement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Perioperative Pain Management in Ambulatory and Inpatient Shoulder Surgery

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Acetaminophen is an effective addition to a multimodal pain regimen; however, evidence to support intravenous versus oral administration requires further evaluation.

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While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a valuable addition to a multimodal pain strategy, concerns regarding their effect on healing after certain procedures (i.e., rotator cuff repair) in select patients may preclude their use.

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The use of perioperative gabapentinoids have varied results for pain control, and additional research is warranted to support their use after certain shoulder procedures.

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Opioid-prescribing should be limited and reserved for severe postoperative pain. When prescribed, opioids should be taken at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest period.

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Centrally acting analgesics such as tramadol have been shown to be as effective as opioids and have a lower risk of complications.

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Nerve blocks are an excellent addition to multimodal pain management strategies. Longer-lasting formulations of perioperative single-shot injections and indwelling catheters may reduce rebound pain.

Do psychiatric disorders affect patient reported outcomes and clinical outcomes post total hip and knee arthroplasty?

Introduction:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of major psychiatric illness on patient outcomes after total joint arthroplasty.

Methods:

Patients with a diagnosis of a major psychiatric disorder undergoing total joint arthroplasty were retrospectively matched one-to-one with a cohort without such a diagnosis. Major psychiatric disorder in the registry was identified by diagnosis of anxiety, mood, or a psychotic disorder. Primary outcome of interest included perioperative Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Secondary outcomes included EuroQol-5D, adverse events, length of stay, 30-day readmission, and discharge destination.

Results:

Total number of patients were 1828. The total hip arthroplasty (37.80 ± 17.91, p = 0.023) and the total knee arthroplasty psychiatric group (43.38 ± 18.41, p = 0.050) had significantly lower pre-operative WOMAC scores. At 3 months, the total hip arthroplasty (76.74 ± 16.94, p = 0.036) and total knee arthroplasty psychiatric group (71.09 ± 18.64, p < 0.01) again had significantly lower 3-month post-operative WOMAC score compared to the control groups. However, outcomes at 1 year were difficult to interpret, as patients with major psychiatric conditions had an extremely high loss to follow-up. Compared to the control groups, the total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty psychiatric group had an increased length of stay by 1.43 days (p < 0.01) and 0.77 days, respectively (p = 0.05). Similarly, the psychiatric groups were discharged directly home less often (total hip arthroplasty 86.9%, p = 0.024 and total knee arthroplasty 87.6%, p = 0.022) than the control groups.

Conclusion:

Patients with the diagnosis of a major psychiatric illness have an increased length of stay and are more likely to require a rehabilitation facility, compared to the control groups. Arguably, of utmost importance, there is a very high rate of loss to follow-up within the psychiatric groups. As such, we recommend these patients should be treated for their diagnosis prior to total joint arthroplasty. Furthermore, importance of clinical follow-up should be emphasized carefully.

Anxiety and Osteoarthritis Disability: Updated Overview and Commentary

Introduction:

Osteoarthritis, a widespread highly painful often incapacitating joint disease continues to impose immense personal and societal challenges among adults of all ages, especially among older adults. In the absence of any effective cure or treatment, it has become essential to explore all correlates of this chronic disabling disease, especially those that might be preventable or modifiable. Anxiety, a potentially remediable state of mental distress - found linked to chronically disabling forms of arthritis, in various imperceptible ways, and which may have an immense bearing on the outcomes of osteoarthritis, has not received as much attention in the related literature as other topics, such as surgery.

Objective:

In line with previous promising work, this narrative review elected to explore the extent to which current researchers in the field are pursuing this topic, and if so, the degree to which prevailing peer-reviewed data sources support an important role for continued research in this realm, and in what regard.

Methods:

Primarily explored were the key databases housing relevant publications that emerged over Aug 1, 2018-Feb 26, 2020 using the keywords Osteoarthritis and Anxiety. Using a descriptive approach, the relative progress made over the past five previous years in this regard was assessed, in addition to what joints have been studied and with what frequency, and how the degree of interest compares to other currently researched osteoarthritis themes. The potential for intervening in the osteoarthritis pain cycle by addressing anxiety was also examined.

Results:

Findings show a high level of current interest in this topic, and that despite the paucity of prospective studies, studies on joints other than the knee and hip joints, some equivocal conclusions, small numbers of anxiety-related studies compared to other topics, and substantive design limitations, it appears that future research in this realm is strongly indicated.

Conclusion:

This topic if examined further is likely to produce highly advantageous results at all stages of the osteoarthritic disease process and in the context of primary, secondary, as well as tertiary measures to ameliorate osteoarthritis pain and disability.

Associations of Preoperative Patient Mental Health and Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics With Baseline Pain, Function, and Satisfaction in Patients Undergoing Rotator Cuff Repairs

BACKGROUND

Shoulder pain and dysfunction are common indications for rotator cuff repair surgery, yet the factors that are associated with these symptoms are not fully understood.

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS

This study aimed to investigate the associations of patient and disease-specific factors with baseline patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. We hypothesized that tear size and mental health status, as assessed by the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey mental component score (VR-12 MCS), would be associated with baseline total Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) and its pain, function, and satisfaction subscale scores.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

We prospectively identified 12 patient factors and 12 disease-specific factors as possible statistical predictors for baseline PROMs in patients undergoing surgical repair of superior-posterior rotator cuff tears at a single institution over a 3-year period. Multivariable statistical modeling and Akaike information criterion comparisons were used to investigate the unique associations with, and relative importance of, these factors in accounting for variation in baseline PSS and its subscale scores.

RESULTS

A total of 1442 patients who had undergone surgery by 23 surgeons met inclusion criteria, with a baseline median total PSS of 38.5 (pain, 12; function, 24.2; satisfaction, 2). Adjusted R² in multivariable models demonstrated that the 24 general patient and disease-specific factors accounted for 22% to 24% of the variability in total PSS and its pain and function subscale scores. Large/massive tear size was significantly associated with worse PSS total score and function score but not pain or satisfaction scores. Lower VR-12 MCS was significantly associated with worse total PSS and all 3 subscale scores. Among other factors significantly associated with baseline PROMs were sex, race, preoperative opioid use, years of education, employment status, acromion status, and adhesive capsulitis. Lower VR-12 MCS, preoperative opioid use, female sex, and black race were the factors most strongly associated with baseline PROMs.

CONCLUSION

Large/massive tear size, lower VR-12 MCS, and several additional patient and disease-specific factors are associated with baseline PROMs in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these factors will also predict poor postoperative PROMs.

Biopsychosocial Influences on Shoulder Pain: Analyzing the Temporal Ordering of Postoperative Recovery

Shoulder surgery is a primary intervention for shoulder pain, yet many individuals experience persistent postoperative pain. Previously, we found individuals categorized as having a high-risk phenotype (comprised of COMT variation and pain catastrophizing) had approximately double the chance of not reaching a 12-month pain recovery criterion. As a means to better understand the development of persistent postoperative shoulder pain, this study advanced our previous work by examining temporal ordering of postoperative shoulder recovery based on potential mediating factors, and expansion of outcomes to include movement-evoked pain and shoulder active range of motion. Before surgery, individuals were categorized as either high-risk (high pain catastrophizing, COMT-genotype linked to low enzyme activity [n = 41]) or low-risk (low pain catastrophizing, COMT-genotype linked to normal enzyme activity [n = 107]). We then compared potential mediating variables at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively 1) endogenous pain modulation defined by a conditioned pain modulation paradigm; and 2) and emotion factors such as anxiety, fear of movement, and depressive symptoms. At 3 months, the high-risk subgroup had higher fear and movement-evoked pain, and causal mediation analysis confirmed the direct effect of risk subgroup on 12-month movement evoked pain. However, baseline to 12-month change in depressive symptoms were found to mediate 53% of the total effect of risk subgroup on 12-month movement-evoked pain. This study introduces potential temporal components and relationships to the development of persistent postoperative shoulder pain, which future studies will confirm and assess for potential therapeutic targets. PERSPECTIVE: This study expands upon postoperative shoulder recovery measures to include movement-evoked pain and depressive symptoms, and provides preliminary indication of temporal ordering to postoperative shoulder recovery for a preidentified high-risk subgroup. Future studies will distinguish temporal components of shoulder surgery that may optimize treatment targets of postoperative recovery.

The role of physical, cognitive and social factors in pain interference with activities of daily living among individuals with chronic cancer pain

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to better understand the role that physical, cognitive and social factors play in pain interference with activities of daily living among individuals with cancer and chronic pain.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, interviews with 156 patients with chronic cancer pain were conducted across five tertiary level hospitals in the province of Tarragona (Spain). Participants were interviewed individually and provided information about the presence and characteristics of pain, fatigue, catastrophic thinking, social support and the impact of pain on their daily activities.

RESULTS

Pain intensity (β = 0.23, p = .003), fatigue (β = 0.26, p < .001) and pain catastrophising (β = 0.39, p < .001) were significantly and positively associated with pain interference in daily activities. Pain interference scores were not explained by social support (β = 0.12 p = .090) or socio-demographic factors (R²  = .005; p = .94).

CONCLUSION

This study provides important new findings regarding the association between physical, cognitive and social factors and function of individuals with cancer and chronic pain, thus supporting a biopsychosocial approach to the management of chronic pain in individuals with cancer.

The Effect of Psychosocial Factors on Outcomes in Patients With Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

To determine whether psychosocial factors affect patient-reported outcomes in individuals with rotator cuff tears or after rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using a computerized search of the PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases in adherence with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. Articles were then evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess study quality and risk of bias. Because of study heterogeneity and varied levels of evidence, meta-analysis was not possible.

RESULTS

Of 980 identified articles, 15 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In those reported, the visual analog scale correlation with distress scales ranged from -0.476 to 0.334, depending on outcome, with a trend toward increased pain in patients with distress. The depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was negatively correlated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score in 2 of 3 studies (-0.309 to 0.235). Six studies evaluated the presence of psychosocial factors and their correlation with patient-reported outcomes prior to surgery. These showed a significant correlation between rotator cuff pathology and psychological distress (i.e., depression or anxiety) as identified on standardized patient-reported outcome measures. Nine studies evaluated psychosocial factors either before and after surgery or only postoperatively. Of these 9 studies, 3 found no statistically significant differences in outcomes as related to psychosocial factors. In contrast, 6 of 9 reported an association between outcomes and psychosocial factors. Moreover, 2 of these 6 studies reported a direct relationship between patient expectations and outcomes, with 1 of these 2 studies finding that higher expectations improved baseline scores on the mental component summary of the Short Form 36 (r = 0.307). One study found significant differences in mental status in patients with rotator cuff tears based on age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

This review found that most studies support that psychosocial factors do significantly influence the level of disability and pain experienced by patients preoperatively; however, 3 of 9 studies showed significant improvements in postoperative pain and function even with significant psychosocial confounders. These studies, however, do support that there is a direct relation between patient expectations and outcomes in rotator cuff surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level I through IV studies.