Cardiac surgery receipt and outcomes for people using secondary mental healthcare services: Retrospective cohort study using a large mental healthcare database in South London

Abstract

Background.Patients with diagnosed mental health problems are more predisposed to cardiovascular disease, including cardiac surgery. Nevertheless, health outcomes after cardiac surgery for patients with mental health problems as a discrete group are unknown. This study examined the association between secondary care mental health service use and postoperative health outcomes following cardiac surgery. Methods.We conducted a retrospective observational research, utilising data from a large South London mental healthcare supplier linked to national hospitalisation data. OPCS-4 codes were applied to classify cardiac surgery. Health results were compared between those individuals with a mental health disorder diagnosis from secondary care and other local residents, including the length of hospital stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, and 30-day emergency hospital readmission. Results.12,384 patients received cardiac surgery, including 1,481 with a mental disorder diagnosis.Patients with mental health diagnosis were at greater risk of emergency admissions for cardiac surgery (Odds ratio [

Greater need but reduced access: a population study of planned and elective surgery rates in adult mental health service users

“…We found substantially elevated rates of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and respiratory procedures, which may reflect a higher prevalence of cardiac, metabolic, alcohol-related or smoking-related conditions in people living with mental ill health (Firth et al , 2019). The findings are consistent with studies showing higher rates of cardiovascular procedures in people with serious mental illness (Brooks et al , 2022; Ghani et al , 2021).…”

“…A handful of studies have examined a broader range of surgical procedures in MH cohorts, finding higher rates for some procedures. In South London, people receiving MH care were 40–80% more likely to have emergency cardiac (Brooks et al , 2022) or vascular surgery (Ghani et al , 2021). US veterans with MH diagnoses had higher rates of emergency procedures such as partial amputations (Copeland et al , 2015).…”