Abstract
Preoperative anxiety among adult patients subjected to elective surgery in Karbala
Author(s): Ali A Abutiheen*, Esam Shyaa khudhair and Hadeer Jabbar DakhalPreoperative anxiety is a considerable problem that could affect the surgical outcome of patients. Anaesthesiologists can assess preoperative anxiety sufficiently and accurately through special tools.
To assess the preoperative anxiety level before elective surgery among patients who underwent surgery and its correlates.
A cross-sectional study, 104 patients who were admitted as planned to Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Karbala were assessed for their anxiety felt before the surgery using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) which is a standardized questionnaire for measuring the intensity of the stress and anxiety, and the need for information.
More than one third 37 ( 35.6%) of the patients had anxiety. The Mean anxiety score for surgery was 5.64 ± 2.03 which is higher than that for anesthesia 4.39 ± 2.07. The preoperative anxiety level was significantly higher among females. While 58 (55.8%) have a low level of need for information about procedures. And the need for information requirement was positively correlated with preoperative anxiety.
Patients had experienced moderate levels of preoperative anxiety which was more among females. The need for information was moderate. However, those with a higher need for information were more anxious. Anxiety can be assessed in the preoperative period so appropriate steps to ameliorate it could be considered.