Illicit drug and alcohol use and measures of musculoskeletal function and mental health in orthopaedic trauma patients.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between positive toxicology screens and measures of preinjury mental health and physical function in an orthopaedic trauma population. This was a cross-sectional study. Urban Level 1 trauma center. A total of 125 trauma patients gave written consent for this study. Questionnaires such as, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, General Anxiety Disorder-7, PCL-5, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment, were used to survey patients after surgical intervention. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (<i>P</i> = 0.05) and PCL-5 (<i>P</i> = 0.04) were not found to have significant differences between positive and negative toxicology screens. Both General Anxiety Disorder-7 (<i>P</i> = 0.004) and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment function (<i>P</i> = 0.006) were significantly higher in patients with positive toxicology screens. Positive toxicology seems to be associated with preinjury anxiety. Patient reported preinjury function was not adversely affected by the presence of illicit substances or alcohol, nor were levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression found to be higher in patients with positive toxicology screens. Level IV Cross-Sectional Study.