Abstract:

The COVID-19 measures aimed at evaluating the factors affecting preoperative anxiety levels and anxiety levels of patients to be undergoing an optional surgery during the pandemic process in which elective surgeons were re-started. The 18-75-year-old group included 450 patients to be subjected to elective surgery. Patients received written approvals were evaluated in the preoperative period. Demographic data, education status, medical history, anesthesia and surgical experiences were questioned. The survey form with questions about COVID-19 was filled by patients with the Spielberger Condition-Continuous Anxiety Scale (STAI), which consists of twenty-five substantial condition and constant anxiety scales. In state (STAI-I) and constant (STAI-II) anxiety scale, a big point indicates a high level of anxiety and a small point indicates a low level of anxiety. The average anxiety level of patients with an average age of 49.26±15.51 was 41.46±8.43 in STAI-I and 37.79±9.73 in STAI-II. According to the operated clinics, the patient’s STAI-I points were compatible with anxiety at a medium level, while the STAI-II points were compatible with anxiety at a mild level. The patient’s age and STAI-I have been correlated negatively (r=-0.52, p=0.136), while STAI-II has been identified with age (r=0.22, p=0.321). When assessed in terms of gender, training status, surgical history and anesthesia experience, no differences were found in preoperative STAI-I and II points. Patients who thought they did not have sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic (17.6 percent) had significantly higher STAI-I and STAI-II points (p=0,000, p=0.001). Patients with COVID-19 infection in their family were similar to the STAI-I and II scores of other patients (p=0.76, p=0.91). Patients with anxiety to be infected with COVID-19 in hospital hospitalization (287 patients, 63.8 percent) have a higher STAI-I score compared to those who are not afraid to be infected with COVID-19 in hospital (163 patients, 36.2 percent) (p=0.05 percent). There were no patients infected with COVID-19 during the postoperative period. Patients with elective surgery have increased preoperative anxiety levels in the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that informing patients of COVID-19 during the preoperative period and talking about the measures to be taken will be helpful in reducing the level of anxiety.

Keywords:

Abstract:

We aimed to evaluate the pre-operative anxiety levels of patients and the factors affecting their anxiety levels who will undergo elective surgery during the pandemic process in which elective surgeries are restarted by taking COVID-19 precautions. 450 patients between 18-75 years old, will undergo elective surgery were included in the study. Patients, whose written consents were obtained, were evaluated in the preoperative period. The demographic data, educational status, medical history, anesthesia and surgical experiences of the patients were questioned. A questionnaire containing questions about COVID-19 and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) consisting of twenty-item state and trait anxiety scales were filled in by the patients. On the state (STAI-I) and trait (STAI-II) anxiety scales, a large score indicates a high level of anxiety, and a small score indicates a low level of anxiety. The average anxiety level of the patients with a mean age of 49.26 ± 15.51 years was found as 41.46 ± 8.43 in STAI-I and 37.79 ± 9.73 in STAI-II. According to the type of operation, STAI-I scores of the patients were compatible with moderate anxiety, and STAI-II scores were compatible with mild anxiety. There was a negative correlation between the age of patients and STAI-I scores (r=-0.52, p=0.136). and a positive correlation was found between STAI-II and the age of patients (r = 0.22, p = 0.321). No difference was found in preoperative STAI-I and II scores when evaluated in terms of gender, educational status, history of previous surgery and anesthesia experiences. STAI-I and STAI-II scores were significantly higher in the patients (17.6%) that thought they didn’t have enough information about the pandemic (p = 0.000, p = 0.001). The STAI-I and II scores of the patients with a family history of COVID-19 infection were similar with the other patients (p = 0.76, p = 0.91). The STAI-I scores of the patients (287 pati-ents, 63.8%) who were worried about being infected with COVID-19 during hospitalization were found to be higher than those who were not afraiding of infected with COVID-19 (163 patients, 36.2%) (p = 0.05). There was no patient infected with COVID-19 during hospitalization. Preoperative anxiety levels have increased in patients undergoing elective surgery in COVID-19 pandemic. We think that informing patients about COVID-19 routinely and talking about the precautions to be taken in the preoperative period will be beneficial in reducing their anxiety levels.