Mood state as a predictor of neuropsychological deficits following cardiac surgery

Marie J. Andrew, Robert A. Baker*, Anthony C. Kneebone, John L. Knight

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Mood disorders and neuropsychological deficits are both commonly reported occurrences after cardiac surgery. We examined the relationship between mood state and postoperative cognitive deficits in this population. Methods: Assessments of neuropsychological functions and mood state (depression, anxiety, stress scales; DASS) were performed preoperatively and postoperatively on 147 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Results: The incidence of preoperative depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology was 16%, 27%, and 16%, respectively. The incidence of postoperative anxiety symptomatology significantly increased to 45% (p < 0.001), while the incidence of depression and stress symptomatology remained stable (19% and 15%, respectively; ns). Changes in mood state did not influence changes in neuropsychological performance. Preoperative mood was a strong predictor of postoperative mood, and was related to postoperative deficits on measures of attention and memory. Conclusions: An assessment of preoperative mood is critical in identifying patients at risk of postoperative mood disorders and neuropsychological deficits. Measures assessing somatic manifestations of anxiety may not be suitable for a surgical population. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)537-546
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Psychosomatic Research
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Cardiac surgery
  • Depression
  • Mood
  • Neuropsychological deficits
  • Stress

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