Effects of Perioperative Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Use in Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Introduction The aim of this study was to compare functional outcomes and perioperative complications between patients on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and those who are not on a SSRI preoperatively at the time of total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 28,386 patients who received a primary total hip (THA) or knee (TKA) arthroplasty. Patients were compared based on SSRI utilization. We measured patient-reported function and health related quality of life using the WOMAC and the EQ-5D-5L instruments. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and t-test were used to compare the continuous variables of two study groups. Results Patients on SSRIs have lower pre-operative baseline WOMAC and EQ-5D-5L scores than those not using SSRI (p Conclusions Patients using a SSRI show improvement comparable to patients not on a SSRI, but their 12-month functional scores continue to be inferior. SSRI utilization was associated with increased adverse events including needing a blood transfusion.