Evaluating the Anxiety and Depression Level Among General Surgery Patients Attendants In Tertiary Care Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

Background: The hospitalization and surgical treatment of patients not only affect the individuals undergoing surgery but also place a considerable emotional and psychological burden on their attendants. Attendants often experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to concerns about the patient's health, possible complications, and outcomes. Understanding the relationship between the patient's health status and the mental well-being of their attendants is essential for providing holistic care and improving both patient and family outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate the anxiety and depression level among the general surgery patient’s attendants. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a tertiary care hospital with a sample of 53 attendants selected using simple random sampling. The levels of anxiety and depression have been assessed using validated scales Generlized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The findings of this study revealed that all depression and anxiety questions received favorable answers from the majority of respondents, with a score of (43%) depressive and (34%) anxiety symptoms. While 13% participants have no depression symptoms and (8%) have no anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of participants have experienced high level of anxiety and depression. These results highlight the need for targeted psychological support and interventions to address the mental health challenges faced by attendants in surgical settings.