Psychiatric symptoms in surgical patients: an assessment of the course of anxiety.
Fifty five (55) patients consecutively booked for major elective surgery were assessed pre-operatively for minor psychiatric symptoms and baseline anxiety levels using the GHQ - 30 and the state version of the state - Trait Anxiety inventory (STAI). Measurements of post-operative anxiety levels were also done for the seven consecutive post-operative days using the STAl. The prevalence of minor psychiatric morbidity was 38%. Patients who were GHQ - 30 cases had higher pre-operative and post-operative anxiety levels than those who were not GHQ- 30 cases. Mean baseline pre-operative anxiety levels were not achieved even on the seventh post-operative day. Pre-operative and post-operative psychological interventions may have useful clinical implications for the anesthesiologist surgeon and psychiatrist as they may need to pay special attention to those identified as being at a greater risk for pre and post-operative anxiety.
Ukpong
D I
DI
Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Adesunkanmi
A R K
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D015995:Prevalence; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology