The Effect of Preoperative Anxiety State on Postoperative Intestinal Microecology and Gastrointestinal Function Recovery in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the effect of preoperative anxiety status on postoperative intestinal microbiota and gastrointestinal function recovery in colorectal cancer patients with the aim of understanding the potential impact of psychological factors on surgical outcomes and improving patient care. Method: A total of 72 patients who underwent radical resection of colorectal cancer in our hospital from January 2017 to May 2020 were selected. According to the results of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) on the day before surgery, the patients were divided into non-anxiety group (HAMA < 7 points) and an anxiety group (HAMA ≥ 7 points). The relationship between preoperative anxiety status and postoperative intestinal microecology and gastrointestinal function recovery in patients with colorectal cancer was analyzed. Results: The first exhaust time and the first defecation time in the non-anxiety group were shorter than those in the anxiety group (P < .05). The first complete eating time and postoperative hospitalization time of patients in the non-anxiety group were shorter than those in the anxiety group, and the total incidence of postoperative complications in the anxiety group was higher than that in the non-anxiety group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the number of intestinal flora between the two groups before the operation (P > .05). The number of intestinal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the non-anxiety group was higher than that in the anxiety group at the first defecation and the 15th day after operation. The number of Escherichia coli and cocci was less than that of the anxiety group (P < .05). There was no significant difference in preoperative fecal sIgA levels between the two groups (P > .05). The level of fecal sIgA in the non-anxiety group was higher than that in the anxiety group at the first defecation and the 15th day after operation (P < .05). There was no significant difference in preoperative serum D-lactic acid between the two groups (P > .05). The serum D-lactic acid level and urinary L / M ratio in the non-anxiety group were lower than those in the anxiety group at the first defecation and the 15th day after operation (P < .05). Conclusion: Our study indicates that preoperative anxiety is associated with postoperative intestinal microbiota imbalance and delayed recovery of gastrointestinal function in colorectal cancer patients. These findings underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors in the care of these patients and suggest that interventions targeting anxiety may improve surgical outcomes and enhance patient recovery. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop effective interventions to mitigate the negative impact of preoperative anxiety on postoperative recovery.