Patients with high anxiety and depression scores face greater postoperative complications after colorectal surgery.

• 25% of patients experienced clinically relevant complications, with inflammatory bowel disease and active smoking identified as risk factors.
• High hospital anxiety and depression scores increased the odds of complications (OR 1.07).

Surgeons should routinely screen for these psychological issues to improve patient outcomes.

• Protective factor: high hemoglobin levels reduced complication risks (OR 0.81).