Cross-sectional Investigation and Analysis of Anxiety and Depression in Preoperative Patients in the Outpatient Department of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in a General Hospital in China

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate anxiety and depression disorders and investigate the prevalence and risk factors in preoperative patients who visited a cosmetic plastic surgery clinic. Methods: The estimate of anxiety and depression in preoperative patients, who were admitted to the outpatient department of plastic surgery in a general hospital from July 2016 to July 2017, was determined by a field survey method using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The demographic information of all patients was collected. All data were analyzed by SPSS statistical package. Results: A total of 315 patients were enrolled, which included 15 males and 300 females, with an average age of 30 +/- 8.4 years. The mean HADS score was 8.2 +/- 5.13, HADS-A was 4.7 +/- 3.04, and HADS-D was 3.5 +/- 2.72. The HADS-A score was significantly higher than the HADS-D score (p= 0.000). There were 34 cases (10.8%) with anxiety, 15 cases (4.8%) with depression, and 6 cases (1.9%) with both anxiety and depression. We found that the education level of these patients (p = 0.001) and the development level of their residence places (p = 0.040) have a negative correlation with the score of anxiety. There was a negative correlation between education level (p =0.000) and depression score. Education level was associated with the diagnosis of anxiety (p = 0.034). Education level (p = 0.001) and occupation (p = 0.015) were associated with the diagnosis of depression. Conclusion: In patients seeking cosmetic plastic surgery, the preoperative anxiety is more obvious than depression. There is a negative correlation between education level and anxiety and depressive symptoms. (C) 2018 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.