Faces Anxiety Scale as a screening measure of preoperative anxiety: Validation and diagnostic accuracy study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine validity and diagnostic accuracy of the single-item Faces Anxiety Scale for the purposes of preoperative anxiety screening.

Background: Anxiety is common in most patients expecting surgery interfering with patients' recovery. Valid and reliable measures for situations with limited time for assessment are needed.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect the data from both self-report and rating instruments.

Methods: We enrolled 90 consecutive patients admitted for surgery in a university-affiliated hospital from January 2013 to June 2013. Patients were administered the anxiety state subscale of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and they were presented the Faces Anxiety Scale. At the same time, patients' anxiety was rated by a nurse.

Results: The correlations among scores of self-report instruments, rating scale, and the Faces Anxiety Scale were high and statistically significant. Of the Faces Anxiety Scale cut-off scores tested, the cut-off score > 2 has an optimal combination of sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: The Faces Anxiety Scale is valid and easy to administer. The scale is useful in settings where fast and precise screening is necessary.

Keywords: Faces Anxiety Scale; anxiety; nursing; screening; validity.