The evaluation of factors effecting preoperative fear and worry

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fear, vvorry and axieties of patients about anesthesia and surgery preoperatively by using a questionaire, and to measure their anxiety by using visual analogue scale (VAS). Five hundred and thirty six patients (>19 yr of age) were questioned about their worries, fears and request of Infor­ mation by means of a questionaire. The ansvvers were analysed with chi-square and correlation tests and p<0.05 was considered as significant. Fear from surgery was higher in the less educated patients (p<0.05). VVomen feared from anesthesia and surgery more than men (p=0.0001). Men prefered local anesthesia more than vvomen (p=0.00165). Fear and request of Information increased with increased income (p=0.01). VAS scores vvere high­ er in vvomen, illeterate and primary school graduates, and patients vvithout previous surgical or anesthesia expe- rience (p<0.05). No correlation was present betvveen VAS scores and income or increase or decrease of Informa­ tion requests (p>0.05). İt was concluded that not ali but some patients feared of surgery or anesthesia or vvanted Information. Informing these patients on the consequences of anesthesia and surgery may be usefull in alleviating their fears or vvorries. Positive correlation betvveen the results of the questionaire and VAS scores, leads us to con- sider that VAS scores may be usefull for measuring preoperative anxiety.