Evaluation of Anaesthesia Information Provision on Pre-Operative Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Planned Surgery in a Tertiary Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Pre-operative anxiety is associated with physiological and psychological implications in the peri-operative period. Pre-operative education and anaesthesia information provision help alleviate concerns and anxiety regarding anaesthesia for planned surgeries. This study aims to compare differences in levels of anxiety with anaesthesia information provision and factors contributing to anxiety. Materials and Methods:  Seventy patients, aged between 18 and 65, with American Society of Anesthesiologists  classes I or II undergoing planned surgery were recruited into this study. They were divided into Group A, which received regular pre-anaesthetic counselling one day prior to surgery, and Group B, which received the counselling and an anaesthesia information sheet (AIS). Both groups were then given an Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaire at the end of the pre-anaesthetic visit and again on the morning of the planned surgery. The scores were calculated to determine the level of anxiety. Results: Group B showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels compared to Group A [Difference (95% CI): -1.51 (-1.96, -1.07); p< 0.001]. For the information desire component, a significant decrease was observed in both Group A (p = 0.037) and Group B (p< 0.001). Group B demonstrated a greater decrease [Difference (95% CI): - 1.17 (-1.62, -0.73)] compared to Group A [Difference (95%CI): -0.40 (-0.77, -0.03)]. Past surgical history was a factor shown to be of statistical significance [coeff (95% CI): -2.39 (-4.21, -0.57); p= 0.011]. Conclusion: Provision of AIS significantly reduced the level of anxiety in patients undergoing planned surgery and has been shown to alleviate concerns in patients with no past surgical history.