Evaluation of state and trait anxiety levels in adolescents undergoing endoscopy under anesthesia: A prospective study

Abstract

Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate the pre-procedure state and trait anxiety levels of adolescent patients hospitalized for gastrointestinal endoscopy performed under sedation. Material and Methods: In this study, 180 children between 11 and 18 years of age (77.5% girls) who were scheduled for anesthesia to undergo endoscopy at our hospital were included. The patients were asked to complete the state (STAI-I) and trait anxiety scale (STAI-II) forms. Results: According to the STAI-I anxiety scale, the total average anxiety scale score was significantly higher for middle school students than high school students (p=0.004). With the increase of the mother's education, the STAI-I score also increased (p=0.04). In children living in rural areas compared to those living in cities, STAI-I and STAI-II scores were statistically significant (p<0.001). In line with the parents' income levels, STAI-I and STAI-II scores of the children also changed (p<0.001). The STAI-I score was higher in children who did not have a previous endoscopy history than those who had undergone endoscopy before (p=0.01). A weak negative correlation was observed between the age of the children and the STAI-I score (r=-0.195, p=0.033). A positive correlation was found between the number of siblings and STAI-II score (r=0.187, p=0.041). Discussion: Increased anxiety before endoscopic anesthesia was observed in this population, including adolescents in low-income families, those from families with many children, and those from families living in rural areas.