The effect of giving information forms about side effects of intravenous iodinated contrast material on the anxiety level of patients

Abstract

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the effect of informing patients about side effects of the contrast material on the level of patients' anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred-ninety seven patients undergoing computed tomography examination were enrolled in the study. Patients were grouped in three categories: (1) patients informed about adverse effects of contrast material and waiting for i.v. contrast material injection, (2) uninformed patients waiting for i.v. contrast material injection, (3) uninformed patients undergoing unenhanced CT examination. All patients were requested to complete a questionnaire including a standard anxiety test. The results were compared statistically. RESULTS: The mean anxiety scores calculated by variant analysis were 39.2 +/- 11.7, 42 +/- 10.4, and 38.6 +/- 9.5 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the anxiety scores of the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Informing patients about the adverse effects of the contrast material does not affect their anxiety level.