Psychopathological indices in patients of the gastroenterogical out-patient department which underwent endoscopic investigation for the first time

Background

The aim of the study was to compare the emotional condition, before the endoscopy, between the patients which underwent colonoscopy or gastroscopy for the first time.

Material and Methods

Forty patients took part in the study (20 patients for gastroscopy and 20 for colonoscopy). Each group included 10 males and 10 females. Their age was 42.1 ± 15.46 for the colonoscopy group and 60 ± 16.68 years for the gastroscopy group. The methological tools we used for the investigation were: 1) A specific questionnaire concerning the sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes 2) The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-Y-I. 3) The World Health Organization-Five scale psychological General Well-Being Schedule. 4) The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, EPQ and 5. The SCL-90-R.

Results

The majority of the patients that underwent colonoscopy preffered the colonoscopist to be of the same sex. On the contrary, most of those patients that underwent gastroscopy expressed a preference for a doctor of the opposite sex. In both groups, patients expressed their wish to go on the procedure of endoscopy under sedation because of fearing of the pain. There were no significant differences concerning the psychopathological scales between the two groups. Also, their findings were similar to those expected from the general population.

Discussion

The results indicate the necessity of psychological preparation of the patients attending for endoscopic investigation for the first time in endoscopy laboratory.