The effect of preoperative anxiety level on postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery

Pancreatic surgery is a critical surgical intervention associated with high complication risks and complex perioperative processes, often resulting in significant physical and psychological impacts on patients. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effect of preoperative anxiety levels on postoperative quality of life in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery. Preoperative anxiety can arise from various factors, including uncertainty about the surgical process, fear of pain, loss of bodily control, and concerns about mortality. High levels of anxiety not only adversely affect physical recovery but can also significantly reduce patients' overall quality of life in the postoperative period. This study was designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional investigation and was conducted in the general surgery department of a private hospital in Istanbul, involving patients scheduled for pancreatic surgery. The sample size was determined using G*Power analysis, with a minimum of 82 patients included in the study. Data collection tools included the Patient Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale. Data were collected through face-to- face interviews both before and after surgery. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The findings of the study indicate that high levels of preoperative anxiety have a strong and negative impact on postoperative quality of life (R=0.913, R²=0.834, p<0.001). It was observed that each one-unit increase in anxiety score led to an approximately 0.243-point decrease in quality of life score. Additionally, the effects of demographic variables (e.g., gender, marital status, parental status) on anxiety and quality of life were analyzed. It was found that single patients and those without children had higher levels of anxiety and lower quality of life scores (p<0.05).