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. 2020 Dec;5(3):199-204.
doi: 10.14744/eej.2020.17363.

Factors Influencing Pain and Anxiety Before Endodontic Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Amongst American Individuals

Riyadh Alroomy  1 , Dana Kim  2 , Robert Hochberg  2 , Joshua Chubak  2 , Paul Rosenberg  2 , Matthew Malek  2
Affiliations

Factors Influencing Pain and Anxiety Before Endodontic Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Amongst American Individuals

Riyadh Alroomy et al. Eur Endod J. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to assess preoperative levels of patient anxiety and pain before root canal treatment, and to explore variables that may affect these levels.

Methods: Ninety-five patients presenting for an endodontic visit were recruited for the study. A questionnaire was administered. Visual analog scales were used to record levels of pain and anxiety. Data was tabulated, and analysis was performed using the Pearson Chi-Squire test with continuity correction, and the level of significance was set at 0.05 (P=0.05).

Results: Anxiety was detected more frequently in females (60%) than in males (33%) (P=0.016). Sixty-two percent of patients who were waiting for a new treatment were anxious, compared to 39% of those who were returning to continue treatment (P=0.049). Sixty-nine percent of patients in pain reported being anxious (P=0.015). Patients aged 18-30 years reported more pain than those older than 30 years (P=0.023). Forty-three percent of new patients reported being in pain, whereas only 20% of patients returning for a treatment reported pain (P=0.027).

Conclusion: Anxiety associated with root canal treatment is prevalent, and it was reported primarily by young females who were presenting for a new treatment. Pain and anxiety are highly inter-related, and they are usually reduced after the first endodontic session.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Visual analogue scale for pain and anxiety
Figure 2
Figure 2
Week positive correlation between pain and anxiety
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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