Annals of Surgical Oncology | 2021
ASO Author Reflections: Association of Depression with In-Patient and Post-Discharge Disposition and Expenditures Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Resection for Cancer
Abstract
Depression is common among patients suffering from oncological and hematological diseases with an estimated prevalence of 16.3%. Depression has been associated with reduced compliance with medical care, lower quality of life, and decreased survival. Depressed patients also can have worse postoperative outcomes following surgery. While the effect of depression on in-patient outcomes, such as hospital morbidity and mortality, has been examined, the impact of depression on the overall surgical episode of care, including the post-discharge setting remains poorly defined. As such, the objective of the current study was to define the effect of depression on the use of post-discharge care in a large cohort of patients undergoing resection for esophageal, colon, rectal, pancreatic, and liver cancer. Specifically, the impact of depression on post-discharge care, including inpatient readmissions, outpatient visits, and use of home health care (HHC), skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and hospice services was examined. PRESENT