Longitudinal Change in Depression Severity and Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

This prospective cohort study evaluated how depressive symptom severity changes during the first 2 years after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and whether changes in depressive symptoms are associated with improvements in shoulder pain and function. Adults who underwent arthroscopic suture-bridge repair for a symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tear were classified by preoperative Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score as having depressive symptoms (HDRS ≥8) or not (HDRS ≤7). Depressive symptom severity (HDRS), shoulder pain (visual analog scale), and shoulder function (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score and Constant score) were assessed before surgery and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Integrity of the repaired tendon was evaluated with ultrasonography at 24 months.