PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION IN THE SURGICAL INPATIENT UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression is a heterogeneous disease. It is highly prevalent in surgical wards. It can be identified by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). By using the questionnaire, we aim to study the prevalence of depression among surgical patients and explore potential sub-groups of surgical patients among which depression is more prevalent. The structured questionnaire was designed that included questions from the PHQ-9 questionnaire, demographic details, diagnoses, mode of admission, and surgery performed. The patients were divided into 4 sub-groups. Those with elective procedures, emergency surgeries, trauma, and patients with complications post-surgery. Our results have demonstrated that depression is highly prevalent in surgical patients. Mild depression was identified in patients with elective and emergency surgery while moderate depression was seen in patients with trauma. Patients with post-surgical complications had severe depression. Admission to the surgical unit can be associated with depression that can not only impair day-to-day life but also hinder the healing process after surgery. We recommend screening for depression among patients admitted to surgical wards.

Keywords: Elective Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Depression, Anxiety, emergency surgery, Trauma Surgery