ASSESSMENT OF ANXIETY IN SURGICAL PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.0159662611059

• Palavras-chave: Anxiety, COVID-19, Surgery, Perioperative Period.

• Keywords: Anxiety, COVID-19, Surgery, Perioperative Period.

• Abstract:

  Surgery can increase anxiety levels in patients, which, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, contributes to high levels of anxiety and, consequently, postoperative complications and/or unfavorable outcomes. In this regard, the project aims to assess the presence and severity of generalized anxiety disorder in patients undergoing surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic and its possible correlation with postoperative recovery. To this end, adults aged 18 to 60, of both sexes, from Londrina and the surrounding region (Paraná), who are undergoing elective surgical procedures requiring hospitalization at the Hospital Evangélico de Londrina, will be selected. Participants will be selected over a 60-day period during the COVID-19 pandemic to obtain a sample of approximately 100 patients. In addition to collecting baseline characteristics, epidemiological information, and details about the surgical procedure, three questionnaires will be administered to assess the
  presence and level of generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the impact of the pandemic and the surgical procedure on the development of anxiety symptoms. These tools are the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale, and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale, respectively. Surgical recovery will be assessed by surgical outcome, the length of postoperative hospitalization, and the need for readmission 30 days after hospital discharge. All collected data will be tabulated in Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for subsequent statistical analysis using Stata software.