Background: Preoperative anxiety is a significant problem
worldwide that may affect patients’ surgical outcome. By
using a simple and reliable tool such as the Amsterdam
Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS),
anaesthesiologists would be able to assess preoperative
anxiety adequately and accurately.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and
validate the Malay version of APAIS (Malay-APAIS), and
assess the factors associated with higher anxiety scores.
Methods: The authors performed forward and backward
translation of APAIS into Malay and then tested on 200
patients in the anaesthetic clinic of University Malaya
Medical Centre. Psychometric analysis was performed with
factor analysis, internal consistency and correlation with
Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state).
Results: A good correlation was shown with STAI-state (r =
0.59). Anxiety and need for information both emerged with
high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.93 and 0.90
respectively). Female gender, surgery with a higher risk and
need for information were found to be associated with
higher anxiety scores. On the other hand, previous
experience with surgery had lower need for information.
Conclusion: The Malay-APAIS is a valid and reliable tool for
the assessment of patients’ preoperative anxiety and their
need for information. By understanding and measuring
patient’s concerns objectively, the perioperative
management will improve to a much higher standard of care.