Effects of psychological predictors on hospital discharge duration after total knee arthroplasty

This study aims to evaluate the effects of somatosensorial amplification, kinesiofobia, health anxiety and depression on hospital discharge durations after knee arthroplasty. 193 patients with total knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups due to discharge durations. Group 1 included patients who were discharged in 1 to 4 days; Group 2 included patients who were discharged in 5 to 7 days. Functional outcome was measured with Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). For psychiatric evalution; a Sociodemographic form, Somatosensory Amplification Scale, Health Anxiety Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and The Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia were used. There wasn’t any significant difference in terms of WOMAC scores between Group 1 and 2 postoperatively. (Pain; p=0.666, Stiffness; p=0.349, Functionality; p= 0.145). There was a significant difference in terms of Health Anxiety Inventory and Somatosensorial Amplification scores between Group 1 and 2 (p=0.006; p=0.031). In correlation analysis Somatosensorial Amplification score was positively correlated with hospital discharge duration. There was a significant difference in terms of Tampa kinesiophobia scores between Group 1 and 2 (p<0.001). In correlation analysis there was a positive correlation between Tampa kinesiaphobia score and hospital discharge durations (r: 0.618; p: 0.000). Multiple regression analysis indicated that Tampa Scale of Kinesisophobia was the major predictive factor for hospital discharge durations. Health anxiety, Somatosensory amplification and mostly Kinesiophobia were related with longer hospitalization periods due to worse functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. Maladaptive psychological strategies about false bodily sensations lead a worse outcome for knee arthroplasty patients. Therapeutic programs aiming false cognitive factors would result with improved functional recovery.