Preoperative anxiety is described as an unpleasant state of uneasiness or tension that is secondary to a patient being concerned about a disease, hospitalization, anesthesia, and surgery, or the unknown. Preoperative anxiety if unallayed is associated with intraoperative haemodynamic changes as well as postoperative hemodynamic issues, psychological problems, delayed wound healing, higher chances of infection etc. Though preoperative anxiety has so many negative implications, it is often a neglected area. Hence on assessment of the presence of anxiety and the level, adequate anxiolytic premedication can be prescribed and thus avoid all the complications associated with it. In addition, the relationship between anxiety and age, gender, type of surgery, education and socioeconomic status can be evaluated, as these may have an influence on the anxiety levels and severity. The overall prevalence of preoperative anxiety as reported in some studies is in range of 60–80% but some researchers showed a wider range, which is 11–80%

There are many studies on the prevalence rates of preoperative anxiety among western population, few in Indian population and none on our local population in our area and hospital. Hence I planned to study the same.

Aim of the study: To evaluate the Preoperative anxiety among adults undergoing surgery

Objectives of the study:

·         Primary: Prevalence of preoperative anxiety, Level of anxiety

·         Secondary : Effect of age, gender, type of surgery, previous surgery, education and socioeconomic status on pre-operative anxiety

Materials and Methods:

·         Study design: Prospective, descriptive

·         Study Population:

Inclusion criteria: All Adult Patients of ASA – PS classification I and II status above 18 years of age undergoing any surgery requiring anaesthesia

Exclusion criteria: Patients with ASA – PS classification III physical status or greater, Patients less than 18 years of age and more than 60 years of age, Unwilling patients, patients with psychiatric disorders on anti‑psychotic drugs, language or communication difficulties, renal or hepatic derangement, low intelligence quotient.

·         Sampling Procedure: Research sample is taken from hospital patients who require surgery and who fulfill inclusion and exclusion criteria.

To calculate sample size I took Indian studies using similar assessment tests. A sample size of 412 patients is taken, determined from previous studies, where the prevalence of preoperative anxiety was computed to be around 58%. The sample size was determined by using a single proportion for a finite population with assumptions of 95% confidence level, marginal error (d) of 5% and the prevalence (P) of 58%, based on the previous studies.  So, this proportion was used to determine the sample size.

 n= Z² p(1-p)/d²    Where:

n = the desired sample size

Z = standard normal score (at 95% confidence level) Where: Z = 1.96

P = prevalence = (58%) = 0.58

D = degree of accuracy desired marginal error (d) of 5% = 0.05

n = 375.

Considering 10%  non-response rate. So Sample size is 412

Benefits of the study:  On assessing presence of anxiety and its severity, anxiety reduction methods can be employed to make it more pleasant for the patient and for a better intra and post-operative outcome. For major surgery, preanaesthetic counselling can be given.