Investigating Relationships Between Pain, Comfort, Anxiety and Depression in Surgical Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim was the investigate the relationships between levels of pain, comfort, anxiety and depression in patients undergoing surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is of descriptive analytic design. The universe of the study consisted of the patients in the surgical wards of two hospitals in western Turkey who had undergone surgery. The study sample comprised 245 patients. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test was used to assess normal distribution. Number, percentage, t-test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the data of the study. RESULTS: The patients' mean pain and comfort score was 3.46 +/- 1.71, 4.27 +/- 0.59. The mean score for anxiety was 10.64 +/- 3.59 and the mean depression score was 8.51 +/- 2.90. A weak, negative correlation was found between the patients' anxiety and comfort levels, while there was a weak but positive correlation between their anxiety and pain levels. A weak and negative correlation was found between comfort and pain levels. CONCLUSION: The result of the study was the finding that the patients' levels of pain were low and their comfort levels were good. It was determined that the tendency of patients to anxiety and depression was mild. Providing effective pain control will positively contribute to the patient's anxiety, depression and comfort during the postoperative period. Preoperative music therapy and postoperative back massage can be recommended.