Education Level and Surgical Location Influence Perioperative Anxiety Associated With Mohs

Patient education level and surgical location influences the level of perioperative anxiety associated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), according to a study published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Researchers aimed to identify risk factors associated with anxiety concerning MMS among patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer in a cross-sectional case series. Information on patient demographics and surgical locations were collected to measure perioperative anxiety and quality of life. Potential risk factors that predict MMS-associated anxiety were also identified.

MMS performed in the eyelid area increased perioperative anxiety compared with noneyelid facial area and nonfacial area. Patients with graduate degrees showed less anxiety compared with patients with lesser education. A greater impact in quality of life was determined in patients with higher perioperative anxiety.

“This study identified that surgical location and the patient's educational level are 2 critical predicting factors for perioperative anxiety,” concluded the study authors. “Furthermore, perioperative anxiety could negatively affect a patient's quality of life and warrants further investigation into effective management,” they added.

Reference
Long J, Rajabi-Estarabadi A, Levin A, Nami N, Nouri K. Perioperative anxiety associated with Mohs micrographic surgery: a survey-based study. Dermatol Surg. Published online April 18, 2022. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000003455