Meltem Çakmak

Factors Affecting Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients

Aim: To determine the incidences of anxiety and depression in relatives of patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and to investigate the relationships between psychological symptoms and demographic features of the patients and their relatives. Methodology: Relatives of 78 ICU patients were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic features of patients and their relatives were recorded. The Turkish version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression. Results: Twenty-eight (35.9%) cases with anxiety and 56 (71.8%) cases with depression were identified. The mean anxiety and depression scores were 9.49 ± 4.183 and 9.40 ± 4.286, respectively. Anxiety (P = .028) and concomitant anxiety with depression (P = .035) were more frequent among family members of young patients. The relationship to the patient, especially being a spouse, was significantly associated with symptoms (anxiety, P = .009; depression, P = .019; and both, P = .005). Conclusion: Spouses and family members of relatively young patients had higher rates of anxiety and depression. In contrast to the literature, depression was more common than anxiety among the relatives of ICU patients. Further research is needed on the impact of cultural and regional differences on anxiety and depression rates in family members of ICU patients.

The effect of passive exposure to tobacco smoke on perioperative respiratory complications and the duration of recovery

BACKGROUND The incidence of perioperative respiratory complications and postoperative care unit recovery time investigated in patients with passive tobacco smoke exposure according to the degree of exposure. METHODS Total 270 patients ranging in age from 18 to 60 years with the ASA physical status I or II exposed and not exposed to passive tobacco smoke received general anesthesia for various elective surgical operations evaluated for the study. Patients divided into two groups as exposed and non-exposed to passive tobacco smoke, those exposed to passive smoke are also divided into two groups according to the degree of exposure. Patients taken to the postoperative care unit (PACU) at the end of the operation and monitorized until Modified Aldretes Scores became 9 and more. Respiratory complications evaluated and recorded in intraoperative and postoperative period. RESULTS A total of 251 patients were enrolled; 63 (25.1%) patients had airway complications, 11 (4.4%) had complications intraoperatively and 52 (20.7%) patients had complications postoperatively. There has been found significant relation with passive tobacco smoke exposure and high incidences of perioperative and postoperative respiratory complications. The risk of cough, desaturation and hypersecretion complications were found to be increased depending on the degree of exposure. There was significant relation between the degree of passive smoke exposure and the duration of PACU stay. CONCLUSION Passive tobacco smoke exposed general anesthesia receiving patients also regarding to the degree of exposure having high rates of perioperative respiratory complications and prolongation of PACU stays when compared with unexposed patients.

Acute Back Pain Following Surgery under Spinal Anesthesia

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors having a role in the occurrence of acute back pain following spinal anesthesia.

Efeito de informações por meio de vídeo sobre a ansiedade e satisfação de pacientes submetidos à anestesia espinhal

BACKGROUND Providing sufficient information during a preanesthetic interview may help improve patient understanding and decrease anxiety related to spinal anesthesia. We investigated the effect of video-based education on anxiety and satisfaction in patients about to undergo spinal anesthesia. METHODS A total of 198 patients scheduled for minor elective surgery under spinal anesthesia were prospectively enrolled. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/State and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/Trait) questionnaires and visual analog scale were used to measure anxiety levels before the standard anesthesia evaluation was initiated. Then, 100 patients in Group 1 received written, verbal, and video-based education, whereas 98 patients in Group 2 received only written and verbal instructions regarding spinal anesthesia. Then all participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/State and visual analog scale to evaluate anxiety. Finally, a 5-point Likert scale was used to measure satisfaction during postoperative period. RESULTS No differences were found in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/State, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/Trait, or visual analog scale scores between the two groups before the information period. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory/State scores evaluating anxiety during the post-information period were differed in both groups and they found as 36.5±10.0 in Group 1 and 39.6±8.6 in Group 2 (p=0.033). The 5-point Likert scale scores to measure satisfaction were stated as 4.5±0.6 in Group 1 and 3.5±1.2 in Group 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Providing video-based information during the preanesthetic interview alleviated anxiety and increased satisfaction in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.