Cross-sectional investigation and analysis of anxiety and depression in preoperative patients in the outpatient department of aesthetic plastic surgery in a general hospital in China.

[OBJECTIVE] This study was designed to evaluate anxiety and depression disorders and investigate the prevalence and risk factors in preoperative patients who visited a cosmetic plastic surgery clinic.

[METHODS] The estimate of anxiety and depression in preoperative patients, who were admitted to the outpatient department of plastic surgery in a general hospital from July 2016 to July 2017, was determined by a field survey method using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The demographic information of all patients was collected. All data were analyzed by SPSS statistical package.

[RESULTS] A total of 315 patients were enrolled, which included 15 males and 300 females, with an average age of 30 ± 8.4 years. The mean HADS score was 8.2 ± 5.13, HADS-A was 4.7 ± 3.04, and HADS-D was 3.5 ± 2.72. The HADS-A score was significantly higher than the HADS-D score (p = 0.000). There were 34 cases (10.8%) with anxiety, 15 cases (4.8%) with depression, and 6 cases (1.9%) with both anxiety and depression. We found that the education level of these patients (p = 0.001) and the development level of their residence places (p = 0.040) have a negative correlation with the score of anxiety. There was a negative correlation between education level (p = 0.000) and depression score. Education level was associated with the diagnosis of anxiety (p = 0.034). Education level (p = 0.001) and occupation (p = 0.015) were associated with the diagnosis of depression.

[CONCLUSION] In patients seeking cosmetic plastic surgery, the preoperative anxiety is more obvious than depression. There is a negative correlation between education level and anxiety and depressive symptoms.