The Relationship Between COVID-19 Anxiety and Preoperative Anxiety during the Pandemic

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between COVID-19 anxiety levels and preoperative anxiety in patients who will undergo elective surgery during the pandemic period. DESIGN: This study was an analytical cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study was carried out with 228 patients between May and December 2021 in the surgical clinics of a training and research hospital. The data were collected using patient information form, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). FINDINGS: The patients' APAIS total score level was 15.86 ± 6.44, and the CAS score was 6.63 ± 3.61. A positive, moderate and statistically significant relationship was found between the CAS score and the APAIS total score (r = 0.547; P = .000) and, the CAS score and anxiety due to anesthesia surgery (r = 0.545; P = .000) and information (r = 0.501; P = .000) sub-dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the preoperative anxiety level increased in individuals with increased coronavirus anxiety levels.