Anxiety levels of the patients prior to brain tumor surgery and the precipitating factors

Introduction: Tumor resection with surgical approach is used in the treatment of brain tumors which consists a big part of the neurosurgical problems. Diagnosis of brain tumors, preop and postoperative experiences and problems would cause anxiety in the patients. Aim: This research was made to determine the anxiety levels and precipitating factors preoperatively. Materials and Method: 60 samples for the research were chosen from patients that were admitted for brain tumor surgery to a private university hospital in İstanbul between dates 02.04.2016-17.06.2016. Data gathering form and Situation and Permanent Anxiety measure that was prepared by the researcher was used for gathering the data. Data were evaluated in SPSS 21.0 program, determining statistical analyses (number, percent, average, standard deviation, minimum-maximum value), Pearson Correlation Analysis, Kruskal Wallis Variance Analysis and Mann-Whitney U test and with %95 trust interval, p<0.05 meaning level. Results: In the research, the average age was 40.75±13.54, female (%55), married (%66.7) and high school graduates (%46.7) were predominant; permanent anxiety were low (36.46±10.52), situation anxiety were average level (45.25±10.88). The point averages according to brain tumor types, epileptic seizure history and sleeping patterns; and point averages according to prior brain surgery history, getting information anxiety in prior surgery and permanent and situation related anxiety measures; and point averages according to the time of education about the surgery were found to be significantly different (p<0.05). %50 of the patients desired to take information from the doctor or the nurse and also asked for an informative brochure, %95 were having anxiety about the upcoming operation and these anxiety were related to be about postoperative dysfunction, pain, nausea, vomiting, not waking up, long time ICU stay and death. Conclusion and Recommendations: Malignant brain tumor diagnosis, epileptic seizure history, irregular sleeping pattern, having a brain tumor surgery history and having anxiety may effect the anxiety level for getting education about the upcoming surgery and determining the anxiety levels of patients having these problems preoperatively, may be suggested to be educated about the causes of their anxiety and giving psychological support.