Underlying Mental Illness and Psychosocial Factors Are Predictors of Poor Outcomes After Proximal Humerus Repair.

Abstract

(1) To assess the correlation of psychosocial factors and long-term outcomes of proximal humerus fractures all in surgical repair; (2) to identify specific psychosocial factors with favorable and unfavorable outcomes; and (3) to assess the correlation between DSM-V mental health diagnoses and long-term Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. Prospective cohort study. Academic medical center. Patients were screened and identified on presentation to the emergency department or in the clinical office for inclusion in an institutional review board-approved registry. One hundred eighty-five proximal humerus fractures of 247 met inclusion criteria. Surgical repair of proximal humerus fractures. All patients were prospectively followed up and assessed for clinical and functional outcomes at latest follow-up visit (mean = 24.8 months) using the DASH questionnaires along with ranges of motion and pain level. Psychosocial factors at 3 months were obtained from the DASH survey. Concomitant diagnosis of depressed mood (P = 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.0005), low energy level (P = 0.003), and fatigue (P = 0.001) correlated significantly with poorer outcome. All 6 psychosocial factors correlated directly and significantly with pain at latest follow-up (P < 0.0005). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the strongest predictor of the overall DASH score was the extent of interference with social life (P = 0.001). Analysis demonstrated that psychological and social factors at 3 months postoperatively have a strong correlation with negative long-term (>1 year) outcomes after proximal humerus fixation. Clinicians may offer psychological support and encourage social support to these patients postoperatively to improve pain and treatment outcomes. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.