Assessment of Anxiety Related to Radiological Investigations in a Teaching Hospital: The Physiologic and Cognitive Responses as well as Cofounders.

Abstract

Anxiety is defined as an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear which is usually characterized by physical signs (such as tension, sweating and increased pulse rate), also by doubt concerning reality and nature of the threat, and self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it. Patients undergoing investigations in the hospitals are prone to increased anxiety levels. This study aimed to assess for the impact of radiological investigations on patients' level of anxiety. It was a cross sectional study conducted on 120 adult patients who presented at the Radiology Department of UNIMED Teaching Hospital for investigations including ultrasound scan, X-rays, MRI, and CT. Patient's informed consent were sought and obtained from willing and suitable patients. After completion of the questionnaire, the patients' Blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded before patients proceeded to the examination room for the procedure and also repeated immediately after the procedure. This study revealed that eighty-eight (70%) patients had current or State anxiety while seventy patients (56%) had Trait or 'being prone to' anxiety. Also, the pulse rate which is an objective way of measuring anxiety shows significant drop in the value after investigations compared to the pre-investigation with a p value of 0.002. This shows that the fear of the procedure itself or the outcome may have been the cause of the increased state anxiety. In conclusion, hospital related anxiety can be due to a number of factors and is worse in patients with preexisting anxiety disorder.