Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear: Symptoms of Depression and Suicidality in Orthopaedic Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Suicide and depression among orthopaedic surgeons have recently emerged as rising concerns. Prior research has suggested that orthopaedic surgeons have the highest prevalence of suicide among surgical specialties. We sought to determine the factors associated with depression and suicidal ideation (SI) in orthopaedics, including subspecialty.

METHODS: A survey including demographic questions, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale was administered electronically via a listserv to the orthopaedic subspecialties of trauma, adult reconstruction, hand and upper extremity, shoulder and elbow, foot and ankle, spine, pediatrics, sports medicine, and oncology. The responses were quantified according to previously published criteria. The associations of demographic factors, training, and current practice environment with depression and suicidality were assessed using Fisher exact tests. Reverse stepwise multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify factors associated with depression and SI.

RESULTS: The responses were obtained from 661 board-certified, practicing orthopaedic surgeons. In this study, 156 surgeons (23.6%) endorsed some level of active SI in their lifetime, 200 surgeons (30.3%) reported either active or passive SI in their lifetime, and 33 surgeons (5%) reported that, on at least 1 occasion in their lifetime, they had experienced active SI with a specific plan and intention to harm themselves. Gender, relationship status, having children, and residency and/or current practice region were significantly associated with depression and/or SI. Younger age, divorce, adult reconstruction and foot and ankle subspecialties, and attending residency in the Western U.S. were found on multivariable testing to be associated with symptoms of depression and SI (odds ratios, 1.03 [per 1-year decrease in age] to 8.28).

CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of depression and suicidality are not uncommon among orthopaedic surgeons, and variation by gender, relationship status, and geographic location are supported by prior research. Based on our results, depression and/or SI likely affect someone close to you or someone with whom you work. The normalization of discussions surrounding emotional well-being, depression, and SI is imperative.