Antidepressants harm hip replacement outcomes

Patients given antidepressants before a hip replacement experience worse outcomes in terms of satisfaction, according to a new study.

Taking the drug up to three years prior to undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) has been shown to result in more patients reporting greater pain before surgery and less satisfaction following the procedure, researchers in San Francisco claim.

It is important to understand a patient’s mental health before surgery and many people requiring a hip replacement are on antidepressants to manage the pain and diminished quality of life often associated with conditions requiring THR.

In the study, 13 per cent of those involved where on antidepressants for up to three years prior to surgery.

It was found that a person’s mental health can affect the success of a procedure.

Understanding the implications of this could improve education and care delivery, in addition to patient outcomes.

It was also found that gender, advanced age and co-morbidity (other joint diseases or conditions which affect walking) also reduced the chance of satisfaction after surgery.

Read about support and personalised care at Barchester care homes for anyone with mental health concerns.