psychological distress in candidates for surgery: a comparative study between patients with chronic and acute diseases

Background: preoperative psychological distress, including anxiety, stress, and depression,is an important issue in psychological pathology. it is of double importanceamong vulnerable groups such as patients with incurable chronic diseases (such asbreast cancer) and simple diseases (such as cholecystitis). we assessed the developmentof anxiety and stress symptoms in two groups undergoing surgery; breastcancer patients and patients undergoing cholecystectomy.methods: in a causal-comparative study, 30 participants were selected consecutivelyfrom a list of candidates for mastectomy and were compared with 30 patients undergoingcholecystectomy in terms of psychological distress. all samples completedthe depression, anxiety, and stress scales-21 (dass-21).results: our results showed that the average scores of stress (p < .000f=1/71), anxiety(p< .000f=117/556), and depression (p < .000f=3/41) were higher in patientswith breast cancer surgery (mastectomy) than in those undergoing cholecystectomysurgery.conclusion: patients themselves have significant effects on the level of their stress.so, in this study, we attempted to examine the effects of stress and anxiety on peoplebefore surgery.