Is childhood trauma a predictive factor for increased preoperative anxiety levels?

Özet

Childhood trauma is a well-known source of lifelong anxiety and various personality disorders. Also preoperative anxiety is related with perioperative physical and physicological responses. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relationship –which has not been studied yet- between having a childhood trauma history and preoperative anxiety levels. A total of 190 patients (aged between 18-65) with a history of childhood trauma presenting for different types of surgery were investigated prospectively using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). A childhood trauma questionnaire total score of ≥35 points was accepted as an indicator of significant childhood trauma history. Preoperative and postoperative anxiety levels of patients were assessed using State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Also relationship between childhood trauma types (physical, emotional neglect/abuse, sexual abuse) and pre-postoperative State Trait Anxiety Inventory levels were evaluated. Correlations between several factors that might effect preoperative anxiety levels including such as; gender, type of surgery, type of anesthesia, educational and maritial levels of patients with or without a childhood trauma history were investigated. We found significant correlations between higher Childhood Trauma Questionnaire scores and increased preoperative State Trait Anxiety Inventory trait and state scores (p<0.05). Female gender, lower educational level, major surgery, general anesthesia were significantly associated with higher preoperative anxiety levels in patients with childhood trauma history. Having a childhood trauma history is closely related with increased preoperative anxiety levels in patients undergoing surgical procedures.