Does Preoperative Anxiety Level Predict Postoperative Pain?

ABSTRACT
• PREOPERATIVE ANXIETY is a common component of the surgical experience, and increased levels of anxiety may alter a patient's surgical course and cause increased postoperative pain.
• A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE was undertaken to evaluate the presence and significance of any correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.
• ALTHOUGH INCONSISTENCY was found in the articles that were reviewed, most of the available evidence revealed a positive correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain.
• FURTHER STUDIES SHOULD be conducted to establish the correlation between preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain and to determine appropriate nursing interventions. AORN J 85 (March 2007) 589-604. © AORN, Inc, 2007.