The Prevalence of Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography Examinations in Saudi Arabia

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Abdulrahman Tajaldeen, Salem Saeed Alghamdi, Mustafa Jafer, Rowa Aljondi, Elbagir Hamza, Fahd Alshahrani, Wala Alzahrani, Ali Alshuwayfie, Hassan Almohsen, Mohammad Alzayd, Muteb Alrashidi

 
For citation: Tajaldeen A, Alghamdi SS, Jafer M, Aljondi R, Hamza E, Alshahrani F, Alzahrani W, Alshuwayfie A, Almohsen H, Alzaydi M, Alrashidi M. The Prevalence of Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Computed Tomography Examinations in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Biomedicine. 2024;14(4):654-658. doi:10.21103/Article14(4)_OA19
 
Originally published December 5, 2024
 

Abstract: 

Background: Patient anxiety during medical imaging procedures is common, with a reported prevalence of 49%–95%. Contributing factors include the characteristics of the imaging equipment and the anticipation of a diagnosis. While anxiety related to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been extensively studied, few studies have investigated anxiety related to computed tomography (CT) in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety among patients undergoing CT examinations in Saudi Arabia.
Methods and Results: From March to June 2024, a prospective observational study was conducted at two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. The study included 100 patients aged 12 years or older undergoing various CT examinations. Data were collected using a specially designed checklist and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Form Y1. Variables such as patient demographics, type of CT examination, use of contrast media, observed signs of anxiety, and effects on image quality were recorded.
Anxiety was observed in 34% of the patients and was more prevalent in female (20%) than in male (14%) patients. Adults aged 18–64 years experienced anxiety more frequently (27%) than adolescents (4%) and geriatric patients (3%). Anxiety was also more prevalent among patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT scans (22%) than among those undergoing non-contrast scans (12%). Similarly, anxiety was more prevalent among patients without prior CT or MRI experience (CT: 24%, MRI: 29%). Anxiety contributed to patient movement during scans, leading to image artifacts and, in some cases, the need for repeat examinations.
Conclusion: Anxiety is a significant concern among patients undergoing CT examinations, particularly among female patients, adults, and patients receiving contrast media. Its presence can adversely affect image quality due to increased motion artifacts. It is crucial for radiology departments to recognize and address patient anxiety to enhance image quality and patient care.

Keywords: 
anxiety • computed tomography • image quality • contrast media • radiology
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Received September 30, 2024.
Accepted November 7, 2024.
©2024 International Medical Research and Development Corporation.