Anxiety among patients undergoing major general surgery

It has been recognized for more than 40 years that patients experience different levels of anxiety when faced with impending surgery. The degree to which each patient manifests anxiety is related to many factors; this study aims to assess the level of anxiety among patients undergoing major general surgery and to identify the effect of gender on preoperative anxiety. A sample of 300 patients who were admitted from 5th April 2009 to the 10th November 2009; in general surgery units of teaching hospitals [Rezgari and Hawler] in Erbil city were interviewed to assess their level of anxiety before surgery. The instrument used for this purpose was a questionnaire that included socio-demographic information and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI] of Spilberger. Most of the patients showed moderate to severe anxiety level; [moderate=50% and severe=38.3%] others showed mild anxiety level [11.7%]. A statistically significant relationship was seen between preoperative anxiety and gender; female patients showed high levels of anxiety [severe anxiety=46.9%] while male patients showed less severe anxiety level [severe anxiety=28.6%]. According to the results of the study patients undergoing major general surgery need to be assessed regarding level of anxiety before surgery. This anxiety should be reduced through appropriate interventions, especially in women who have been found to experience high levels of anxiety

Impact of preoperative anxiety intervention on postoperative pain

Numerous prospective randomized studies demonstrate the effectiveness of simple preoperative anxiety intervention in improving surgery outcomes as measured by decreased anxiety, decreased pain and reduced need for pain medications. The objective of study is to find out the effect of simple preoperative anxiety intervention on postoperative pain. A sample of 300 patients who were admitted in general surgery units of two teaching hospitals [Rezgari and Hawler] in Erbil city from 5[th] April 2009 to the 10[th] November 2009 were allocated randomly into two groups; 150 patients received preoperative anxiety intervention before surgery [which includes giving information about surgery, anesthesia and post operative management of pain] and another 150 patients as a control group received no intervention. The assessment tool included a special questionnaire about socio-demographic information and the anxiety level was measured before surgery by state-trait anxiety inventory scale of Spilberger which includes 20 items while measurement of pain score was obtained during 48 hours after surgery by visual analog scale [VAS] which is composed of a [10 cm] horizontal line. The patients in intervention group showed low pain scores; the Mean score and standard deviation of VAS scale for intervention group was [4.47 +/- 0.692] while for control group the Mean score and standard deviation was [6.55 +/- 1.121]. based on the results of the study the investigators conclude that giving information to patient before surgery can reduce the preoperative anxiety level which leads to decrease postoperative pain level