What are the prevalence of and factors independently associated with depression and anxiety among patients with posttraumatic elbow stiffness? A cross-sectional, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Joint stiffness is a common complication after articular-related trauma in the elbow, resulting in significant limb disability, psychological stress, and a negative impact on daily life. No previous study has reported the impact of post-traumatic elbow stiffness (PTES) on psychological health. This study aims to (1) investigate the depression and anxiety levels and (2) identify factors independently associated with depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with PTES. METHODS: A total of 108 patients with PTES presenting to 4 collaborative municipal hospitals were consecutively enrolled from September to December 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were collected through questionnaires and medical records. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 was used to assess depression and anxiety status. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: The detection rates of mild-to-moderate depression and anxiety are 40.7% and 27.8%, and severe-to-extremely severe levels are 23.1% and 25.9%, respectively. Regression results show that factors independently associated with depression include elbow flexion (odds ratio [OR]per 1° loss = 1.021, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001-1.041, P = .035), elbow pain on movement (ORper 1 point increase = 1.236, 95% CI: 1.029-1.484, P = .023), family relationship (ORless close/very close = 10.059, 95% CI: 2.170-46.633, P = .003), and self-care ability (ORunable/able = 3.858, 95% CI: 1.244-11.961, P = .019). Factors independently associated with anxiety are elbow flexion (ORper 1° loss = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.009-1.052, P = .005), elbow pain on movement (ORper 1 point increase = 1.212, 95% CI: 1.003-1.465, P = .047), and clinically significant heterotopic ossification around elbow (ORyes/no = 2.344, 95% CI: 1.048-5.243, P = .038). CONCLUSION: Patients with PTES exhibit significant depression and anxiety symptoms. Several sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are independently associated with depression and anxiety levels. Identifying and addressing these factors may be of particular benefit during PTES management. Future research might address whether depression and anxiety affect the outcome after stiff elbow surgery.