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  2. Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia
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Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors

  • Reports of Investigation
  • Published: May 1990
  • Volume 37, pages 444–447, (1990)
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Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia Aims and scope Submit manuscript
Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors
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  • Neal H. Badner1,2,
  • Warren R. Nielson1,2,
  • Shirley Munk1,2,
  • Caroline Kwiatkowska1,2 &
  • …
  • Adrian W. Gelb1,2 
  • 9417 Accesses

  • 223 Citations

  • 14 Altmetric

  • 2 Mentions

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between anxiety the night before surgery and that existing immediately preoperatively, whether anaesthetists can detect preoperative anxiety and to establish the presence of any factors that might assist in the determination of preoperative anxiety. Anxiety was measured objectively using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL). Anxiety was found to be higher infemales and those not having had a previous anaesthetic, and to remain constant from the afternoon before surgery to the immediate preoperative period. Anaesthetists were found to be poor assessors of anxiety unless they specifically questioned their patients about this.

Résumé

Le but de cette étude est de déterminer s’il existe une corrélation entre l’anxiété la veille de la chirurgie et celle existant immédiatement en période préopératoire, si les anesthésistes peuvent détecter l’anxiété préopératoire et établir la présence de facteurs qui peuvent assister à la détermination de cette anxiété. L’anxiété a été mesurée objectivement par le test de «Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAJ)»et le «Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL)». L’anxiété fut trouvée supérieure chez les femmes ainsi que chez ceux qui n’ont pas eu d’anesthésie au préalable et fut trouvée constante à partir de l’après midi avant la chirurgie à la période préopératoire immédiate. Les anesthésistes furent trouvés comme des pauvres évaluateurs de l’anxiété sauf quand celle-ci fut exprimée par les patients lors du questionnaire.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital, Postal Stn A, PO Box 5339, N6A 5A5, London, Ontario, Canada

    Neal H. Badner, Warren R. Nielson, Shirley Munk, Caroline Kwiatkowska & Adrian W. Gelb

  2. Department of Psychology, University Hospital, London, Ontario

    Neal H. Badner, Warren R. Nielson, Shirley Munk, Caroline Kwiatkowska & Adrian W. Gelb

Authors
  1. Neal H. Badner
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  2. Warren R. Nielson
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  3. Shirley Munk
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  4. Caroline Kwiatkowska
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  5. Adrian W. Gelb
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Badner, N.H., Nielson, W.R., Munk, S. et al. Preoperative anxiety: detection and contributing factors. Can J Anaesth 37, 444–447 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005624

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  • Issue Date: May 1990

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03005624

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Key words

  • anaesthesia: evaluation, preoperative
  • premedication
  • psychological responses
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