Clinical observation of perioperative negative emotional changes in patients with percutaneous balloon compression for primary trigeminal neuralgia: A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of negative emotions in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients, to identify risk factors associated with anxiety and depression, and further to explore the impact of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) on anxiety and depression in TN patients during the perioperative period.

METHODS

400 patients with primary TN treated with PBC at our institution from November 2021 to April 2023 were included. We analyzed visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores. The patients' clinical data and short-term clinical outcomes were gathered and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 400 patients diagnosed with primary TN. Patients who had high pain intensity (OR 1.20, 95 % CI 1.02-1.41; p = 0.025) or a history of multiple previous TN procedures (OR 1.49, 95 % CI 1.03-2.16; p = 0.036), were more prone to anxiety. Patients who were female (OR 1.59, 95 % CI 1.03-2.44; p = 0.036), had high pain intensity (OR 1.28, 95 % CI 1.08-1.52; p = 0.004) or had a history of multiple previous TN procedures (OR 1.48, 95 % CI 1.11-1.98; p = 0.008), were more likely to have depression. Significant improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms were observed in patients who experienced pain relief after PBC (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender, high pain intensity, and a history of multiple prior TN procedures are associated risk factors for anxiety and depression in TN patients. PBC can provide patients with a high pain relief rate and significantly improve their anxiety and depression symptoms during the perioperative period.