What does this research mean for the field?

High levels of preoperative anxiety are associated with a greater need for anesthesia-related information, particularly in female patients and those with lower education levels. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate preoperative anxiety levels and associated information needs in patients preparing for surgery. It seeks to identify factors that influence anxiety to enhance psychological care.

February 5, 2026

Assessment of patients' anxiety and need for anesthesia-related information in the preoperative period

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Preoperative anxiety (n=100). Intervention: Assessment using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS). Primary outcome: Preoperative anxiety and information needs.

Key Result

Preoperative anxiety was highly prevalent among surgical patients, with females, rural residents, and those with primary education showing higher anxiety and information needs.

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate preoperative anxiety levels and associated information needs in patients preparing for surgery. It seeks to identify factors that influence anxiety to enhance psychological care.
Conducted a cross-sectional study in a specialized anesthesiology infirmary.
Interviewed 100 patients to assess anxiety and information needs.
Utilized the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) for measurement.
High incidence of preoperative anxiety among study participants.
Higher anxiety scores and information needs in females compared to males.
Patients with lower education and those living in rural areas exhibited increased anxiety and information needs.
Major surgical interventions led to higher anxiety scores compared to minor surgeries.
Anxiety related to surgery exceeded that related to anesthesia.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=100)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Population

100 patients preparing for surgery at Clinical Center Niš, Serbia

Outcome

Preoperative anxiety and information needs measured by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS)patient reported

Preoperative anxiety is highly prevalent and associated with demographic factors and the type of surgery, highlighting the need for tailored psychological support and information provision.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION - Thesis in the broadest sense is focused on examining anxiety related to hospitalization, identifying factors that contribute to the increase of preoperative anxiety in patients, the impact of preoperative anxiety on psychological and physiological adverse responses in the preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative period. AIM OF THE STUDY - The research on the topic "Assessment of patients' anxiety and need for anesthesia-related information in the preoperative period"came with aim of determining the presence of preoperative anxiety in patients preparing for surgery and considering the factors responsible for preoperative anxiety to improve psychological support for patients in the preoperative period and thus reduce anxiety, pain and demands for analgesics in the postoperative period. MATERIAL AND METHODS - The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study at Clinical Center Niš, Serbia, in a specialized anesthesiology infirmary of the Clinic for Anesthesia and Intensive Therapy, by interviewing 100 patients. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale APAIS was used for operationalization and measuring preoperative anxiety and information needs. RESULTS - The incidence of preoperative anxiety in our study population is quite high. Female gender in all of surveyed parts showed a higher score on the anxiety scale and the need for information than male gender. It was found that patients with primary school and who live in rural areas show a higher score values related to anesthesia, surgery and the need for information. Patients who performed major surgical interventions have higher score values related to anesthesia and all other scores were higher among patients who performed small surgical intervention. Contrary to expectations, the average values of anxiety associated with surgery are higher than the anxiety values associated with anesthesia. The need for information was confirmed to be related to the severity of preoperative anxiety. CONCLUSION - In practical terms, the results show that determining the presence of preoperative anxiety in patients preparing for surgery and the realization of factors responsible for preoperative anxiety can improve psychological support to patients in the preoperative period, as well as a significant impact on success of anxiety prevention in patients with postoperative symptoms and complications.

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Cite This Study

Gordana Dragošev (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Preoperative anxiety (n=100). Assessment using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) was evaluated on Preoperative anxiety and information needs. Preoperative anxiety was highly prevalent among surgical patients, with females, rural residents, and those with primary education showing higher anxiety and information needs.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69843451f1d9ada3c1fb2566 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5937/insp2421007d

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