Preoperative predictors of acute postoperative anxiety and depression using ecological momentary assessments: a secondary analysis of a single-centre prospective observational study.

Background: Postoperative anxiety and depression can negatively affect surgical outcomes and patient wellbeing. This study aimed to quantify the incidence of postoperative worsening anxiety and depression symptoms and to identify preoperative predictors of these conditions.

Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study included 1168 patients undergoing surgery lasting >1 h with overnight admission at a university-affiliated quaternary referral centre. Postoperative anxiety and depression symptoms were measured using standardised, thrice-daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for 30 days. Co-primary outcomes were worsening anxiety and depression symptoms, each defined as a slope >0 when EMA was modelled as a linear function of time. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent preoperative predictors of each outcome.

Results: Postoperative worsening anxiety occurred in 60 patients (5%), and postoperative worsening depression occurred in 86 patients (7%). Predictors of postoperative worsening of anxiety symptoms included preoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.48, 95% credible interval [CI] 1.29-4.79, for mild symptoms; aOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.10-4.51, for moderate to severe symptoms), and preoperative pain (aOR 3.46, 95% CI 1.32-9.12). Predictors of postoperative worsening depression symptoms included preoperative PROMIS depression symptoms (aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.24-4.14, for mild symptoms; aOR 3.79, 95% CI 2.10-6.81, for moderate to severe symptoms). Self-reported history of anxiety or depression did not independently predict either outcome.

Conclusions: Postoperative worsening anxiety and depression appear to be associated more closely with preoperative active mental health or pain symptoms rather than self-reported history of these conditions. Preoperative identification of at-risk patients will require screening for symptoms rather than simple history taking.