As per study published in “Arab Journal of Gastroenterology”, endoscopic procedures cause anxiety in patients. The anesthesia preferences of individuals is a vital factor to avoid situational concerns. Female gender and undergoing a colonoscopy procedure are crucial factors associated with anesthesia preferences. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the anxiety during elective endoscopy procedures (esophagogastroduodenoscopy and/or colonoscopy) on the patient and examine whether anxiety is a factor in the preference of anesthesia. Also, the other predictors of this preference were assessed to understand the role of anxiety level in this preference.

The study included 723 participants who underwent elective endoscopy. The sociodemographic data and medical history records as stated by the participants were gathered by the investigators. Utilizing STAI, the state and trait anxiety levels of recruited participants were assessed. Participants were assigned into two cohorts as without anesthesia and with anesthesia. Of the respondents, about 43.4% requested anesthesia during the endoscopic procedure. The sociodemographic data, except sex, demonstrated comparable characteristics.

As found, the STAI trait scores of both arms were equivalent. But, a vital difference was witnessed in the STAI state scores of the arms. A substantial difference was noted in the anesthesia preference and type of the endoscopic procedure. The STAI state scores, endoscopic procedure type, and gender were found to be vital predictors of anesthesia selection. However, there is a requisition of more detailed evaluations, the study authors concluded.