Substantial Improvement in Self-Reported Mental Health Following Total Hip Arthroplasty Occurs Independent of Anesthetic Technique

PEPPER Trial Investigators

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Background: The influence of anesthetic type on mental health after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is poorly understood. Adverse effects of general anesthesia (GA) on cognition following major non-cardiac surgery are well known, but mental health following THA is less well-studied. We hypothesized that neuraxial anesthesia (NA) would provide favorable mental health profiles compared with GA after THA. Methods: Prospectively collected Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-10 (PROMIS) Global Mental Health (GMH) scores at preoperative baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months after THA were accessed on 4,353 patients in the Pulmonary Embolism Prevention After HiP and KneE Replacement (PEPPER) Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02810704). Anesthesia was categorized as: general (GA), neuraxial (NA), and neuraxial with peripheral block (NAP). The GMH was assessed longitudinally and compared between groups. Results: Postoperative GMH improved (P < .05) over preoperative in every anesthetic group. Groups receiving NA had higher baseline GMH scores. Improvement in GMH was diminished after GA alone and plateaued after 1 month. Adding NA or peripheral nerve block to GA conferred additional benefit to GMH improvement. Conclusions: Patient-perceived mental health improves significantly after THA regardless of anesthetic type. Patients who have higher baseline GMH scores more commonly received NA, likely due to nonsurgical care determinants; these differences in mental wellness persisted at follow-up. Adjunctive NA or peripheral nerve block favored GMH improvement, whereas solitary GA diminished GMH improvement, which plateaued after 1 month. Substantial mental health benefits of THA may overshadow subtle differences in GMH attributable to anesthetic type.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1220-1225.e1
JournalJournal of Arthroplasty
Volume39
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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