Level and predictors of anxiety in patients undergoing bronchoscopy

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Flexible bronchoscopy is a common procedure performed in pulmonary practice. Although it is considered a safe method with rare complications, it is often associated with anxiety, stress and discomfort. <bold>Aim:</bold> Assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety in patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy. <bold>Methods:</bold> a prospective, descriptive with analytical aim and bicentric study conducted including consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy through a period of 6 months. Patients filled the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire before the procedure. Bronchoscopy was performed through the nose. Lidocaine instillation was used for administering topical anesthesia. <bold>Results:</bold> A total of 136 patients participated in this study. High anxiety score was found in 55.1% of the patients. There was no différence in the level of anxiety according to the age (p=0.5). Patients living in urbain environement showed a significant decrease in anxiety scale(45.09 Vs 48.1, p=0.002). Patients who present with a cough showed a statistically significant increase in anxiety score (47.44 Vs 45.81, p=0.05). Similarly, smoker patients showed a statistically significant increase in anxiety score (47.68 vs. 45.02, p = 0.05). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Diagnostic bronchoscopy can cause high anxiety in many patients. Prebronchoscopy anxiety assessment can help bronchoscopists to anticipate the anxiety levels of patients. Acconrding to our results, special attention should be given to patients living in urbain areas, smokers patients ans presenting cough.