Significant Analgesic Benefits of Perioperative Duloxetine in Patients Who Have Depressive Symptoms Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Major symptoms of depression are commonly observed in patients requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA), and this is associated with increased pain scores and opioid consumption. We aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of duloxetine in these high-risk patients.

Methods: Among 263 patients scheduled for primary unilateral THA, 67 patients who scored at least 8 on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to the duloxetine group (60 mg daily, from the day of surgery to postoperative day 6) or the placebo group. The postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score during walking, the VAS score during hip flexion, and resting VAS score was measured. Postoperative morphine consumption, hip range of motion (ROM), Harris hip score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function, postoperative length of stay (LOS), and adverse events were recorded.

Results: The duloxetine group had significantly lower VAS scores during walking and hip flexion from postoperative day 3 to week 3 than the placebo group. With regard to the resting VAS score, duloxetine showed a better analgesic effect from postoperative day 3 to week 2 than placebo. Patients in the duloxetine group had less consumption of morphine. The duloxetine group exhibited better hip function scores, including ROM, HHS, and WOMAC function scores than the placebo group. No significant difference was observed in LOS or adverse events between groups.

Conclusion: Perioperative short-term duloxetine provides advantages in decreasing pain, reducing morphine consumption, and increasing hip function in THA patients who have depressive symptoms.