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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Mar 11;12(3):e058187.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058187.

Prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Asres Bedaso  1   2 , Nibretie Mekonnen  3 , Bereket Duko  3   4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Asres Bedaso et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Objectives: This review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety and its associated factors among patients undergoing surgery in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Embase and PsychINFO to identify peer-reviewed studies on the prevalence and factors associated with preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies were pooled to estimate the prevalence of preoperative anxiety using a random-effect meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics. Funnel plot asymmetry and Egger's regression tests were used to check for publication bias.

Result: Our search identified 2110 studies, of which 27 studies from 12 countries with 5575 participants were included in the final meta-analysis. Of the total 27 studies, 11 used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to screen anxiety, followed by the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information scale, used by four studies. The pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in LMICs was 55.7% (95% CI 48.60 to 62.93). Our subgroup analysis found that a higher pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety was found among female surgical patients (59.36%, 95% CI 48.16 to 70.52, I2=95.43, p<0.001) and studies conducted in Asia (62.59%, 95% CI 48.65 to 76.53, I2=97.48, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicated that around one in two patients undergoing surgery in LMICs suffer from preoperative anxiety, which needs due attention. Routine screening of preoperative anxiety symptoms among patients scheduled for surgery is vital.

Prospero registration number: CRD42020161934.

Keywords: adult surgery; anxiety disorders; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow chart of the study identification process for systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot showing the pooled prevalence of preoperative anxiety among patients undergoing surgery in low-income and middle-income countries. ES, effect size.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Funnel plot for testing publication bias (random effect model, N=27).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sensitivity analysis for studies included in the meta-analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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