Pre-operative anxiety in intracranial neoplasm patients undergoing surgery and assessment of its predictors

Introduction: Pre-operative anxiety in intracranial neoplasm is very important aspect of peri-operative care. The primary aim of the present study is to find out prospectively levels of anxiety in these patients and assessment of factors affecting pre-operative anxiety was secondary aim of the study. Methods: This observational study included 60 patients aged 18 to 65 years who were scheduled for an elective surgery. Pre-operative anxiety was rated using APAIS (Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale) and STAI (State Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale). All the patients also completed Agarwal Scale for assessment ofSocioeconomic status. Results: A total of 60 patients completed the study. Preoperative anxiety was present in 60% of the patients according to STAI scale and in 68% according to APAIS scale. 65% patients were having desire for information regarding surgery and 72% patients were having desire for information regarding anaesthesia. Laterality of the tumour and socioeconomic status of the family were found to significantly influence the anxiety levels. Patients belonging to joint families were found to be more anxious. Conclusion: Identification of the factors affecting preoperative anxiety may help the attending anaesthesiologist to formulate a strategy to allay the anxiety in these patients. Our study was limited by recruitment of all the patients from 1 centre so culture and clinic specific factors can alter the findings. All the factors might not be identified conclusively because of small sample size.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).