Preoperative Anxiety Levels and Postoperative Opioid Use in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: The national opioid epidemic has highlighted the critical importance of opioid stewardship within orthopaedic surgery. Previous research has identified a diagnosis of anxiety disorder as significantly associated with postoperative opioid consumption following upper extremity procedures. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study aimed to broaden this understanding by investigating whether measured levels of preoperative anxiety, rather than a broad diagnosis, in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) affected postoperative opioid utilization. It was hypothesized that, in opioid-naive patients, a higher preoperative anxiety score would be associated with increased postoperative opioid consumption. Study Design: Cohort study, Level of evidence, 2. Methods: < .05. Results: = .58). Covariates including age, sex, and ADI were not significant in any model. Conclusion: Levels of preoperative anxiety in opioid-naive patients undergoing primary ARCR had no significant effect on total postoperative opioid usage, the number of days opioid medication was taken, or the adjusted daily opioid usage.