Factors related to preoperative anxiety in older patients with sensory impairment: A cross-sectional study

Aim; To identify the factors related to preoperative anxiety in older adults with sensory impairment. Design: Descriptive quantitative research design. Methods: Study participants were 120 older adults admitted to a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea to undergo eye or ear surgery. Data were collected from 11 February to 30 April 2023. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS 28.0. The study was reported following the STROBE checklist. Results: Preoperative anxiety differed significantly according to gender (p = .002), average monthly household income (p < .001), subjective health status (p = .003), subjective vision loss (p = .004), one-sided or both-sided eye discomfort (p = .002), use of glasses (p = .010), subjective hearing loss (p = .022) and anxiety coping mechanisms (p < .001). The results of a multiple regression analysis on the significant variables identified that gender (beta = .178, p = .036) and anxiety coping mechanisms (beta = .336, p < .001) had the most significant effect on preoperative anxiety, with an explanatory power of 34.5%. Conclusion: The development and practical application of tailored nursing interventions catering to specific genders and anxiety coping mechanisms would contribute to reducing preoperative anxiety and providing efficient nursing care for older adults with sensory impairment.