A multicenter, prospective observational study to describe the socioeconomic characteristics and the occurrence of postoperative anxiety and depression in the Chinese old population.

As China's population ages, the proportion of elderly people undergoing surgery increases. Perioperative anxiety and depression, particularly in elderly patients, is common and associated with multiple medical and social adversities. Previous studies have found a 31 percent risk of anxiety and 29 percent risk of depression in older perioperative patients. However, nationally representative epidemiological data for postoperative anxiety and depression, in particular elderly patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, are unavailable in China. Therefore, providing nationwide epidemiological data on postoperative anxiety and depression in Chinese elderly patients provides a valuable opportunity for policy makers and health care professionals to optimize the management of geriatric mental health in China.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years)
2. undergoing elective surgery with a planned overnight hospital stay following surgery
3. non-cardiac surgery, non-neurosurgical surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

1. patients fully refused to participate in the study
2. patients with severe dementia, language disorder, severe hearing or visual impairment, coma, and end-stage status
3. patients whose surgeries were canceled
4. history of previous severe mental illness or long-term use of psychotropic medications
5. patients admitted to ICU immediately after surgery
6. patients who died within 7 days after surgery
7. patients who did not complete the scale assessment

Elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) who completed the anxiety and depression assessment after the elective noncardiac, non-neurosurgical surgery were included in this study.