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Study showed worse function, disability in depressed patients with distal radius fractures
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Compared with non-depressed patients, patients diagnosed with depression prior to treatment of low-energy distal radius fractures had worse function and disability outcomes 1 year from injury, according to results.
Researchers collected data in 228 patients (89% women) older than 55 years with isolated distal radius fractures from November 2007 to January 2011. Researchers measured symptoms of depression using the Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Outcomes measured at baseline, 3 months and 1 year included the DASH score and SF-36 questionnaire as a measure of general health status, complications and symptoms consistent with complex regional pain syndrome.
Kelly A. Lefaivre
Results showed 25% of patients were depressed at baseline, 32% were depressed at 3 months and 26% were depressed after 1 year. Researchers found 14% of patients had complications and, while depression at baseline had no relationship with complications, a statistically significant relationship between depression and complication was found at 3 months.
Baseline depression had a statistically significant association with the worse 1-year SF-36 scores, as well as poorer 1-year DASH scores and less improvement in DASH scores during the first year vs. non-depressed patients, according to results. Multivariate linear regression showed the strongest predictor of poorer 1-year DASH scores and change in DASH scores during the first year was depression. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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