Validity and time course of surgical fear as measured with the Surgical Fear Questionnaire in patients undergoing cataract surgery

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201511
• Publication Date: 2018-08-09T13:59:02Z
• Authors: Maurice Theunissen; Soraya Jonker; Jan Schepers; Nancy A. Nicolson; Rudy Nuijts; Hans-Fritz Gramke; Marco A. E. Marcus; Madelon L. Peters
• Keywords: Perceived Stress Scale; Convergent validity

Objectives The primary aim of the study was to assess convergent validity Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) with other self-report instruments and biological indices stress. Secondary aims were examination predictors level time course fear preferences for treatment. Methods In a prospective observational cohort SFQ short-term (SFQ-s) long-term (SFQ-l) scores assessed one week, day, morning before cataract surgery, together salivary cortisol alpha-amylase (sAA) levels, numeric rating scale (NRS) score. SFQ-scores also second eye surgery. Expected pain recovery, sociodemographic medico-psychological at baseline. Results Data 98 patients analyzed. Scores both SFQ-subscales (range 0–40) generally low, all mean ≤ 9.0. SFQ-s SFQ-l correlated significantly instruments: NRS .83 .89, expected .49 .54, recovery -.27 -.44. No association found between or sAA level. Predictors baseline Additional effects subgroups based on educational level, antidepressant use, presurgical stress (SFQ-l). lower surgery than first, higher in who would have appreciated treatment fear. Discussion Convergent measures is shown. sensitivity permits detection small variations caused by factors.