Surgery information reduces anxiety in the pre-operative period

PURPOSE: Patients preparing to undergo surgery should not suffer needless anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate anxiety levels on the day before surgery as related to the information known by the patient regarding the diagnosis, surgical procedure, or anesthesia. METHOD: Patients reported their knowledge of diagnosis, surgery, and anesthesia. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure patient anxiety levels. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients were selected, and 82 females and 38 males were interviewed. Twenty-nine patients were excluded due to illiteracy. The state-anxiety levels were alike for males and females (36.10 ± 11.94 vs. 37.61 ± 8.76) (mean ± SD). Trait-anxiety levels were higher for women (42.55 ± 10.39 vs. 38.08 ± 12.25, P = 0.041). Patient education level did not influence the state-anxiety level but was inversely related to the trait-anxiety level. Knowledge of the diagnosis was clear for 91.7% of patients, of the surgery for 75.0%, and of anesthesia for 37.5%. Unfamiliarity with the surgical procedure raised state-anxiety levels (P = 0.021). A lower state-anxiety level was found among patients who did not know the diagnosis but knew about the surgery (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Increased knowledge of patients regarding the surgery they are about to undergo may reduce their state-anxiety levels.PROPÓSITO: Pacientes que vão ser operados não devem sofrer ansiedade. Este estudo tem por objetivo comparar o grau de ansiedade no dia anterior à cirurgia entre pacientes que têm informação sobre seu diagnóstico, cirurgia e anestesia. MÉTODOS: Pacientes referiram seu conhecimento sobre o diagnóstico, a cirurgia e a anestesia. O inventário de Spielberger, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), mediu a ansiedade. RESULTADOS: Cento e quarenta e nove pacientes foram selecionados, 82 mulheres e 38 homens foram entrevistados. Vinte e nove pacientes foram excluídos do estudo por analfabetismo. A ansiedade-estado foi semelhante para homens e mulheres, (36,10 ± 11,94 vs. 37,61 ± 8,76) (mean ± SD). A ansiedade-traço foi maior entre mulheres (42,55 ± 10,39 vs. 38,08 ± 12,25, P = 0,041). O nível de educação não influenciou a ansiedade-estado mas mostrou-se inversamente relacionado à ansiedade-traço. O diagnóstico fora claro para 91,7% dos pacientes entrevistados, cirurgia para 75% e anestesia para 37,5%. O desconhecimento da cirurgia elevou a ansiedade-estado (P = 0,021) cujo menor índice foi encontrado entre pacientes que não conheciam seu diagnóstico, mas sabiam sobre a cirurgia (P = 0,038). CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento sobre a cirurgia a ser realizada pode reduzir o estado de ansiedade

ORIGINAL RESEARCH SURGERY INFORMATION REDUCES ANXIETY IN THE PRE-OPERATIVE PERIOD

PURPOSE: Patients preparing to undergo surgery should not suffer needless anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate anxiety levels on the day before surgery as related to the information known by the patient regarding the diagnosis, surgical procedure, or anesthesia. METHOD: Patients reported their knowledge of diagnosis, surgery, and anesthesia. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure patient anxiety levels. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-nine patients were selected, and 82 females and 38 males were interviewed. Twentynine patients were excluded due to illiteracy. The state-anxiety levels were alike for males and females (36.10 ± 11.94 vs. 37.61 ± 8.76) (mean ± SD). Trait-anxiety levels were higher for women (42.55 ± 10.39 vs. 38.08 ± 12.25, P = 0.041). Patient education level did not influence the state-anxiety level but was inversely related to the trait-anxiety level. Knowledge of the diagnosis was clear for 91.7% of patients, of the surgery for 75.0%, and of anesthesia for 37.5%. Unfamiliarity with the surgical procedure raised state-anxiety levels (P = 0.021). A lower state-anxiety level was found among patients who did not know the diagnosis but knew about the surgery (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Increased knowledge of patients regarding the surgery they are about to undergo may reduce their state-anxiety levels