Impact of anxiety levels on the perception of pain in patients undergoing office hysteroscopy

Objective This study aimed at assessing the impact of anxiety on pain perception during hysteroscopy and to highlight the possible contribution of factors related to pain perception. Materials and methods 104 women with indication for office hysteroscopy fullfilled anonymous self-report questionnaires during the waiting time, before the procedure. The first self-report questionnaire included general patient information and an overall assessment of the degree of satisfaction with the information received before the procedure. The level of pre-procedural anxiety was measured through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI-Y1 (state anxiety). The perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The intensity of pain during the procedure and 20 min later was assessed with VAS score. Results The average waiting time was of 192.33 +/- 91 min. 59 patients (56.7%) performed the examination without analgesia while 45 women (43.3%) required analgesia. 28 women (27%) experienced mild pain, 34 (33%) moderate pain and 42 (40%) severe pain. The patients who performed the procedure without analgosedation had an average STAI-Y1 score of 44.81 +/- 1.20, compared to women who required analgosedation (average score of 49.40 +/- 1.64). The perceived level of stress was also associated with the use of analgosedation. Patients who did not request any anesthetic intervention obtained a PSS average score of 16.66 +/- 0.75, compared to the subgroup with anesthesia (score of 19.76 +/- 0.90). Conclusions Anxiety represents a key element for the success of ambulatory hysteroscopy. The management of anxiety can reduce the request for analgesia with a consequent optimization of time, costs and safety.