Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between anxiety the night before surgery and that existing immediately preoperatively, whether anaesthetists can detect preoperative anxiety and to establish the presence of any factors that might assist in the determination of preoperative anxiety. Anxiety was measured objectively using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL). Anxiety was found to be higher infemales and those not having had a previous anaesthetic, and to remain constant from the afternoon before surgery to the immediate preoperative period. Anaesthetists were found to be poor assessors of anxiety unless they specifically questioned their patients about this.
Résumé
Le but de cette étude est de déterminer s’il existe une corrélation entre l’anxiété la veille de la chirurgie et celle existant immédiatement en période préopératoire, si les anesthésistes peuvent détecter l’anxiété préopératoire et établir la présence de facteurs qui peuvent assister à la détermination de cette anxiété. L’anxiété a été mesurée objectivement par le test de «Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAJ)»et le «Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL)». L’anxiété fut trouvée supérieure chez les femmes ainsi que chez ceux qui n’ont pas eu d’anesthésie au préalable et fut trouvée constante à partir de l’après midi avant la chirurgie à la période préopératoire immédiate. Les anesthésistes furent trouvés comme des pauvres évaluateurs de l’anxiété sauf quand celle-ci fut exprimée par les patients lors du questionnaire.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Norris W, Baird WLM. Preoperative anxiety — a study of the incidence and aetiology. Br J Anaesth 1967; 39: 503–9.
Johnson M. Anxiety in surgical patients. Psychol Med 1980; 10: 145–52.
Ramsay MAE. A survey of preoperative fear. Anaesthesia 1972; 27: 396–402.
Jamison RN, Parris WLV, Maxson WS. Psychological factors influencing recovery from outpatient surgery. Behav Res Ther 1987; 25: 31–3.
Wallace LM. Psychological preparation as a method of reducing the stress of surgery. J Hum Stress 1984; 10: 62–77.
Lichtor JL, Johanson CE, Mhoon D, Faure EAM, Hassan SZ, Roizen MF. Preoperative anxiety — does anxiety level the afternoon before the surgery predict anxiety level just before surgery? Anesthesiology 1987; 67: 595–9.
Arellano R, Cruise C, Chung F. Timing of the anesthetist’s preoperative outpatient interview. Anesth Analg 1989; 68: 645–8.
Egbert LD, Battit GE, Turndorf H, Beecher HK. The value of the preoperative visit by an anesthetist. JAMA 1963; 185: 553–5.
Scott LE, Clum GA, Peoples JB. Preoperative predictors of postoperative pain. Pain 1983; 15: 283–93.
Wiggins JS. Personality and Prediction. Principles of Personality Assessment. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1973.
Forrest WH, Brown CR, Brown BW. Subjective responses to six common preoperative medications. Anesthesiology 1977; 47: 241–7.
Hicks JA, Jenkins JG. The measurement of preoperative anxiety. J Roy Soc Med 1988; 81: 517–9.
Madej TH, Pasuuke RT. Anaesthetic premedication: aims, assessment and methods. Can J Anaesth 1987; 34: 259–73.
White PF. Pharmacologic and clinical aspects of preoperative medication. Anesth Analg 1986; 65: 963–74.
Leigh JM, Walker J, Janaganathan P. Effect of preoperative anaesthetic visit on anxiety. Br Med J 1977; 2: 987–9.
Stallworth JM, Martino-Saltzman D. Comparison of benzodiazepine premedications triazolam and diazepam amnesia, anxiolysis and sedation. Anesth Analg 1987; 66: S165.
Wassenaar W, Lancee WJ, Galloon S, Gale GD. The measurement of anxiety in the pre-surgical patient. Br J Anaesth 1977; 49: 605–8.
Spielberger CD. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory: A Comprehensive Bibliography. Palo Alto, Consulting Psychologists Press Inc., 1984.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Badner, N.H., Nielson, W.R., Munk, S. et al. Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors. Can J Anaesth 37, 444–447 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005624
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005624