Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Depression in older surgical patients: a multicentre prospective longitudinal study
Authors' conclusion
The prevalence of depression was 20.2% before surgery and 18.7% at 180 days after surgery.
Study context
- Population
- Surgical patients aged ≥65 yr at two preoperative clinics in Canada
- Participants
- 307 patients
- Outcome
- Prevalence and trajectory of depression (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, cut-off ≥5)
- Follow-up
- Before surgery and at 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery
Methodological detailsmulticentre, longitudinal
- Multicentre
- Longitudinal
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of depression
Preoperative depression prevalence
20.2%
95% CI 16.1–25.1
Potentially unrecognised depression
17.6%
Depression at 180 days after surgery
18.7%
95% CI 14.1–24.3
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Risk factors for preoperative depression
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperative cognitive impairment | 2.91 (1.29–6.61) | P = 0.010 | |
| Sleep disturbances | 2.91 (1.29–7.07) | P = 0.013 | |
| Preoperative functional disability | 4.15 (1.58–11.54) | P = 0.005 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
Risk factor for depression at 180 days after surgery
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preoperative functional disability | 5.91 (1.43–29.07) | P = 0.019 | |
| 0.050.21520Odds ratio (log scale) |
Non-home discharge
| OR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 2.40 (1.08–5.10) | P = 0.026 | |
| 0.20.5125Odds ratio (log scale) |
Original publication
Depression in older surgical patients: a multicentre prospective longitudinal study. Br J Anaesth. Published 21 May 2025. doi:10.
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