Increased Complications for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty

Background: Although it has been shown that anxiety and depression are associated with increased complications after total joint arthroplasty (TJA), the outcomes of TJA in patients with a history of psychosis are unknown. This study evaluated the influence of bipolar and schizophrenic disorders on complications after TJA, particularly aseptic and septic revisions.

Methods: A retrospective review of 156 TJAs (125 primaries and 31 revisions) was performed at a single institution from 2000 to 2015. Bipolar and schizophrenic patients were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes or by those actively taking anti-psychotic medications, followed by manual chart review to confirm diagnoses. The psychosis patient cohort was matched 3:1 for a variety of factors. Revisions and readmissions were evaluated. Survivorship curves were generated.

Results: Patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had an increased odds of developing peri-prosthetic joint infection at 90 days (odds ratio [OR] 3.34, P = .049), 2 years (OR 3.94, P = .004), and at any time point (OR 4.32, P = .002). Psychosis patients had increased odds of aseptic and mechanical revisions at all endpoints, particularly from dislocation. Psychosis patients had a higher number of post-operative emergency department visits (P < .001), and were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility (P < .001).

Conclusions: Patients with bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia may have multiple barriers to self-care after TJA, and are at an increased risk for undergoing revision TJA for prosthetic joint infection and mechanical causes. Increased pre-operative education and screening of this patient population may be necessary prior to performing TJA.