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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2023

Open Access 01-12-2023 | Mood Disorders | Research

The association between neuropeptide oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders after orthopedic surgery stress in older patients

Authors: Wanru Dong, Zengbo Ding, Xiao Wu, Ran Wan, Ying Liu, Liubao Pei, Weili Zhu

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2023

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Abstract

Background

The health outcomes of geriatric patients exposed to surgery were found to be enhanced by social support and stress management. The aim of this study was to characterise the relationship between oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders after surgery.

Methods

A total of 132 geriatric patients aged ≥ 60 years received orthopedic surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (Harbin, China) were enrolled in the present study. The salivary levels of stress hormone cortisol and oxytocin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the screening of the stress state and oxytocin function. Moreover, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were conducted to identify the severity of anxiety and depression. The association between oxytocin and mental health was performed by linear regression analyses in older patients receiving orthopedic surgery. Finally, the Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) was selected to measure the social support and the potential link to mental outcomes.

Results

The scores from questionnaires showed that female patients with higher social support and higher levels of oxytocin demonstrated better stress-reducing responses as reflected by lower cortisol and decreased anxiety and depression symptoms. Regression analyses revealed that there was a significant association between oxytocin and scores in DASS, GAI, GDS, MADRS and DSSI, suggesting a potential link between peripheral oxytocin function and mood outcomes after orthopedic surgery.

Conclusions

Our findings reveal that oxytocin enhances the stress-protective effects of social support and reduces anxiety and depression states under stressful circumstances, particularly in older women receiving orthopedic surgery.
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Metadata
Title
The association between neuropeptide oxytocin and neuropsychiatric disorders after orthopedic surgery stress in older patients
Authors
Wanru Dong
Zengbo Ding
Xiao Wu
Ran Wan
Ying Liu
Liubao Pei
Weili Zhu
Publication date
01-12-2023
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2023
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-03989-w

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