Effect of psychological preparation on anxiety level before colonoscopy in outpatients referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz

Background Gastrointestinal disorders are common complaints for which endoscopy and colonoscopy are the most important diagnostic procedures. Anxiety is an unpleasant, ambiguous feeling of apprehension and fear of unknown origin that occurs during stressful situations or injury. Lack of sufficient information and fear of pain can cause anxiety prior to a colonoscopy, reducing the number of patients willing to undergo the procedure and increasing colonoscopy time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of psychological preparation on anxiety before colonoscopy in patients presenting to Golestan Hospital during the years 1994 and 1995.