Effect of Psychiatric Comorbidities on In-Hospital Outcomes and Cost for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the differences in outcomes of cervical spinal surgery for patients with and without a major psychiatric comorbidity using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample database.

METHODS

Data were queried from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample database from 2013 to 2014 for hospitalizations with a major psychiatric comorbidity and a diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by an appropriate surgical procedure. The included psychiatric comorbidities were schizophrenia, episodic mood disorders (bipolar I and II disorders), delusional disorders, and psychoses not otherwise specified. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine the differences in outcomes between patients with and without a major psychiatric comorbidity.

RESULTS

A total of 18,335 hospitalizations met the inclusion criteria, of which 648 (3.5%) included a major psychiatric comorbidity. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that psychiatric comorbidity was an independent predictor of non-home discharge (odds ratio [OR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43-2.30; P < 0.0001) and a longer hospital stay (+0.52 day; 95% CI, 0.43-0.61; P < 0.0001) but was not an independent predictor of overall complications (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.58-1.07; P = 0.13) or total hospital charges ($1992; 95% CI, -$917-$4902; P = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatric comorbidity was associated with an increased risk of non-home discharge and a longer length of stay for patients undergoing surgical intervention for cervical myelopathy. However, we did not find an associated increased risk of in-hospital mortality, complications, or total hospital charges. Psychiatric comorbidity should not be weighed against patients who require surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and special attention should be given to postoperative care and discharge planning for this unique patient population.