Determinants of Anxiety in amputees owed to traumatic & non-traumatic causes

Abstract

Introduction:

Nowadays, number of individuals living with depression and anxiety, are rapidly increasing. Depression and anxiety may develop at any time during the period surrounding the amputation and are serious psychological problems that may affect recovery and independence of amputees. Therefore, there is need of having an understanding on the level of anxiety in amputees.

Objective: The aim and objective of this study was to find out Causes/ factors of anxiety among amputees suffering from traumatic and non-traumatic causes.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Quetta from the month of May 2018 to July 2018. Data was collected through structured adopted questionnaire according to the inclusion & exclusion criteria & then tabularized and analyzed by applying Chi square test.

Results: This study involved a total of 54 participants of whom 7(13%) were females and 47(87%) males. Among amputees 36(66.7 %) amputations were due to Traumatic injuries and 18(33.3%) were due to non-Traumatic amputation. In Traumatic, majority was due to RTA with 25(46.3 %) and in non-traumatic causes diabetes stood first with 13(24.1%) amputation. Traumatic are more anxious than non-traumatic. There is a significant relationship of marital status with level of Anxiety (p-value 0.047). Statistically significant relationships of amputation with depression & anxiety level were noticed, p value=0.039 & 0.049 respectively.

Conclusion: Amputation has a significant association with anxiety level. This study provides an insight to Healthcare Providers that anxiety do exist at any time surrounding amputation and many factors can significantly influence the various levels of anxiety in amputees particularly due to traumatic causes. It is recommended to do regular or annual screening of depression and anxiety following amputation.

Keywords: Amputees, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma