# Prospective Study of the Assessment of Anxiety Symptoms after Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression

## TL;DR

This study found that minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery improves clinical outcomes and reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, regardless of pre-surgery anxiety levels.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence that preoperative anxiety does not affect the success of minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery.

## Key findings

- Clinical outcomes were similar for anxious and non-anxious patients after surgery.
- Anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased six months post-surgery.
- Pain levels in the back and legs were reduced after the procedure.

## Abstract

Objective
 To analyze associations between anxiety and postsurgical clinical outcomes in patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery in addition to comparing symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after surgery.

Methods
 This prospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery. Clinical outcomes were measured before and 6 months after surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Global Perceived Effect of Change (GPE), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Based on the presurgical anxiety score, patients were categorized into anxious and non-anxious patients, and the outcomes were compared.

Results
 The patients of both groups obtained similar results concerning the clinical outcomes evaluated. Preoperative HADS scores decreased significantly 6 months after surgery in both anxiety (8.70 ± 3.48 vs. 5.75 ± 3.91) and depression (6.95 ± 3.54 vs. 5.50 ± 2.99). The VAS scale for the back (-2.8 ± 3.64) and legs (-5.5 ± 3.5) showed a reduction in pain.

Conclusion
 Minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery promoted clinical and functional improvement, not being affected by preoperative anxiety symptoms. Mental health indicators showed a significant reduction in symptoms 6 months after surgery.

Objetivo
 Analisar associações entre ansiedade e desfecho clínico pós-cirúrgico em pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva, além de comparar sintomas de ansiedade e depressão antes e após a cirurgia.

Métodos
 Trata-se de um estudo de coorte prospectiva de pacientes que realizaram a cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva. Os desfechos clínicos foram mensurados antes e 6 meses após a cirurgia, utilizando a escala visual analógica de dor (EVA);
Global Perceived Effect of Change
(GPE);
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale
(HADS) e o
Oswestry Disability Index
(ODI). A partir do escore de ansiedade pré-cirúrgico, os pacientes foram categorizados em pacientes ansiosos e não ansiosos e os desfechos comparados.

Resultados
 Os pacientes de ambos os grupos obtiveram resultados similares em relação aos desfechos clínicos avaliados. Os escores HADS pré-operatório diminuíram significantemente 6 meses após a cirurgia, tanto em ansiedade (8,70 ± 3,48 vs. 5,75 ± 3,91) quanto em depressão (6,95 ± 3,54 vs. 5,50 ± 2,99). Houve redução da dor na escala EVA das costas (-2,8 ± 3,64) e das pernas (-5,5 ± 3,5).

Conclusão
 A cirurgia de descompressão lombar minimamente invasiva promoveu melhora clínica e funcional, não sendo afetada por sintomas pré-operatórios de ansiedade. Os indicadores de saúde mental evidenciaram redução significativa dos sintomas 6 meses após a cirurgia.