title: Validation of the Malay version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Preoperative anxiety is a significant problem worldwide that may affect patients' surgical outcome. By using a simple and reliable tool such as the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS), anaesthesiologists would be able to assess preoperative anxiety adequately and accurately.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Malay version of APAIS (Malay-APAIS), and assess the factors associated with higher anxiety scores.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors performed forward and backward translation of APAIS into Malay and then tested on 200 patients in the anaesthetic clinic of University Malaya Medical Centre. Psychometric analysis was performed with factor analysis, internal consistency and correlation with Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A good correlation was shown with STAI-state (r = 0.59). Anxiety and need for information both emerged with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.93 and 0.90 respectively). Female gender, surgery with a higher risk and need for information were found to be associated with higher anxiety scores. On the other hand, previous experience with surgery had lower need for information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Malay-APAIS is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of patients' preoperative anxiety and their need for information. By understanding and measuring patient's concerns objectively, the perioperative management will improve to a much higher standard of care.
authors.affiliation: University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. lohps@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mohd Fahmi
authors.affiliation: University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: University of Malaya, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Loh