The prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with metastatic disease to the spine

Introduction: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in cancer patients is approximately 15% and 20%. Unfortunately, depression has been demonstrated to negatively impact patients after spinal fusion surgeries and is associated with worse overall survival in cancer patients. The rates of depression and anxiety have yet to be reported in patients with metastatic spine disease. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of depression and anxiety in patients with metastatic spine disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients >18 years of age at our institution who presented with metastatic spinal disease between 2017 and 2022 were identified through query search and verified by chart review of operative and biopsy notes. Patients who carried a depression and anxiety diagnosis were identified through a review of documentation in the electronic medical record. Demographic and surgical characteristics were recorded. Results: One hundred and fifty patients were identified. The average age and Charlson Comorbidity Index were 63.5 ± 13.0 and 8.34 ± 2.76, respectively. There were 84 (56.0%) males, 28 (18.7%) patients carrying a diagnosis of diabetes, and 40 (26.7%) current smokers. There were 127 (84.7%) surgeries performed for spinal metastases. The most common operative location was the thoracic spine (42.5%), while the sacrum was the least common (2.36%). Overall, 20.00% of our cohort carried a diagnosis of depression, 17.3% carried a diagnosis of anxiety, and 28.7% carried a diagnosis of either depression or anxiety. The most common primary cancers were lung (20.67%), breast (17.33%), and prostate cancers (15.33%). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates elevated rates of depression and anxiety in patients with spinal metastatic disease relative to the general population. When evaluating patients with spinal metastases, spine surgeons have an opportunity to screen for symptoms and place an early referral to a mental health professional.