Patient Anxiety Levels Before Regional vs. General Anaesthesia-A Study from Bhawanipatna: Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Preoperative anxiety is a common and potentially debilitating issue for patients undergoing elective surgery.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of preoperative anxiety and explore factors associated with it in patients choosing regional or general anesthesia.Methods: A single-center, observational study recruited 240 patients undergoing elective surgery.Patients were divided into regional anesthesia (n=120) and general anesthesia (n=120).The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) was used to assess preoperative anxiety levels.Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were collected, and the ASA classification system was used to assess underlying health risks.Exploratory analyses investigated factors associated with preoperative anxiety scores. Results:The mean STAI-T score was significantly lower in the regional anesthesia group (42.3±10.2) compared to the general anesthesia group (48.1±11.4)(p<0.001).Exploratory analysis revealed that a higher ASA classification was associated with higher anxiety scores (OR=1.82,95% CI: 1.12-2.97,p=0.018).Age, gender, and education level were not statistically significant factors.Conclusion: Regional anesthesia may be associated with lower preoperative anxiety compared to general anesthesia.Addressing individual concerns and providing comprehensive preoperative support, particularly for patients with higher ASA classifications, is crucial.Future research should explore additional factors influencing anxiety and investigate interventions to optimize patient well-being throughout the surgical journey.