Anxiety Levels in Adolescents Undergoing Endoscopy

Although anxiety is known to be a disorder that is much more relevant for adults, it is seen at a frequency of approximately 6.5% in the childhood and adolescence. Anxiety is usually examined in two different forms, state anxiety and trait anxiety. A total of 180 pediatric patients who underwent GIS endoscopy in our hospital were included in our study. Demographic data (age, gender, height, weight, educational status, school and grade), additional diseases and diagnoses were recorded. Our aim was to evaluate the anxiety and trait anxiety levels of adolescents scheduled for gastrointestinal system (GIS) endoscopy under sedation, after being admitted as a single-day inpatient and before the procedure. A form evaluating state and trait anxiety levels (Spielberger's state and trait anxiety scale) and another form consisting of demographic data were given to the patients. We requested that the forms be filled by the children themselves. After monitoring in the endoscopy unit, sedation was applied with IV anesthetic drugs routinely.Oxygenation was provided with nasal O2 in all patients. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were monitored. Also complications (bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension, hypertension, bronchospasm, decrease in SpO2, apnea) were recorded.

Inclusion criteria

• Children aged 11-18 years
• ASA I-II
• cooperative
• literate
• undergoing elective endoscopic procedures

Exclusion criteria

• under 11 years of age
• uncooperative
• illiterate
• had known psychiatric disorders or were using psychiatric drugs
• emergency endoscopy