Assessment of anxiety levels in "Leukemia" patients

The increase in the number of patients with "Leukemia" in Iraq shows the importance of assessing the level of anxiety in these patients. The burden of the disease has caused the increase of psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety levels in patients. The aim of this study was planned to make an evaluation about the relationship between anxiety levels and sociodemographic characteristics of "Leukemia" patients. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional descriptive study at AL-Nasiriya Training Hospital in Nasiriyah city between 15.3.2022 and 15.9.2022. The sample of the study consisted of 132 patients over the age of 18 who were treated in this patient and accepted to participate in the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Firstly, demographic information such as age, gender, marital status, place of residence, education level, occupation, duration of illness, type, income level were asked to the patients. Anxiety levels of the patients were evaluated according to the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. It was seen that the majority of the patients (44.7%) who participated in the study consisted of 18-35 years old, (59.8%) male, (76.5%) married individuals. It was determined that the place where the patients lived was mostly in the urban region (78.0%) and their education level was mostly in primary school (56.8%). Looking at the type of disease, it was concluded that the patients mostly had AML type disease. It was seen that all patients participating in the study had someone they lived with and received medical help. Anxiety levels of the patients were found to be higher than the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. It was determined that the anxiety levels of "Leukemia" patients increased with increasing age and the result was statistically significant (p≤0.05). In addition, it was observed that the anxiety level was statistically significantly higher in patients who were married to female patients (p≤0.05). Considering the working status, it was concluded that the anxiety levels were statistically higher in patients who were unemployed and also in patients who had a previous illness compared to those who did not (p≤0.05). The results of the study showed that the level of anxiety in "Leukemia" patients is generally high and the level can vary according to the demographic information of the patient. We think that measures can be taken to reduce the level of anxiety in "Leukemia" patients by conducting more extensive research on this subject, and that the results of the study will guide people working on this issue.