The Impact of Depression and Antidepressant Treatment on Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthroplasty.

Purpose: Depression, a leading cause of disability, is a known predictor of poorer outcomes in upper-extremity procedures. Associated mood and somatic symptoms may interfere with the assessment of postoperative recovery, making it difficult to distinguish between postoperative-related symptoms and those linked to depression. This study examines the impact of depression on patient-reported outcomes following carpometacarpal (CMC) arthroplasty (trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition) for basilar thumb arthritis. We hypothesized that patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder or active antidepressant treatment before surgery will have poorer upper-extremity outcomes at 1 year compared with patients without depression. Methods: Patients who underwent isolated thumb CMC arthroplasty at a single academic center were screened for inclusion. Baseline demographic data, psychiatric history, and antidepressant use at the time of surgery were collected retrospectively. Patients with concomitant psychiatric diagnoses other than depression, those undergoing multiple procedures at the time of thumb CMC arthroplasty, or individuals with additional chronic upper-extremity pathology were excluded. The Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand ( Results: Seventy-three (22.3%) of 328 patients had a diagnosis of depression or were receiving antidepressant treatment at the time of surgery. Before surgery, the average Conclusions: This study demonstrates no significant difference in postoperative Level of evidence: Prognostic IV.