The Effect of Preoperative Education Regarding Intraoperative Care on a Patient's Level of Fear of Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the effect that preoperative education provided by the perioperative nurse about the OR environment and intraoperative care has on surgical fear in patients who come to the OR for surgical intervention. The study involved 92 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery who were randomly assigned to the intervention or routine care group. Preoperatively, patients in the intervention group received education via a form that described the OR environment, the surgical process, and intraoperative care. The patients' surgical fear levels were assessed in the patients' rooms, in the clinic before education, and on arrival to the OR after education. The results showed that preoperative education about the OR environment and intraoperative processes significantly reduced patients' surgical fears.

[Prehabilitation prior to radical prostatectomy : A useful concept?] / Prähabilitation vor radikaler Prostatektomie : Ein sinnvolles Konzept?

Against the background of a continuous improvement of established treatment outcomes and the compatibility of health economic considerations, pre- and perioperative processes are constantly being developed and further optimized. In recent years, the concept of prehabilitation has gained increasing importance as a proactive approach to preparing patients for mostly surgical cancer treatment and improving their physical and mental health. Prehabilitation in oncology is a systematic process aimed at improving the physical, psychosocial, and nutritional condition of patients before and during cancer treatment. The goal of prehabilitation is to enhance patients' ability to cope with the physiological stress of cancer treatment and improve their overall health and well-being. In addition, prehabilitation has the potential to reduce costs for the healthcare system.

Evaluation of psychological symptoms in patients before and after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: a single-center cross-sectional study

Purpose: Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) brings several benefits for insulin-dependent type-1 diabetic patients associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, data on psychological outcomes for the waiting list and the transplanted patients are still lacking. Methods: Using the psychological Beck inventories of anxiety (BAI) and depression (BDI), 39 patients on the waiting list were compared to 88 post-transplanted patients who had undergone SPKT. Results: Significant differences were found regarding depression (p = 0.003) but not anxiety (p = 0.161), being the pretransplant patients more vulnerable to psychological disorders. Remarkable differences were observed relative to the feeling of punishment (p < 0.001) and suicidal thoughts (p = 0.008) between the groups. It was observed that patients who waited a longer period for the transplant showed more post-transplant anxiety symptoms due to the long treatment burden (p = 0.002). Conclusions: These results demonstrated the positive impact of SPKT on psychological aspects related to depression when comparing the groups. The high number of stressors in the pretransplant stage impacts more severely the psychosocial condition of the patient.

Evaluation of the Effect of Hydroxyzine on Preoperative Anxiety and Anesthetic Adequacy in Children: Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Surgical procedures can generate significant preoperative anxiety (POA) in as much as 70% of the paediatric population. The role of hydroxyzine and distractive techniques such as clowns in the management of anxiety is controversial. Our main objective was to evaluate the effect of hydroxyzine on the control of POA. The secondary objective was to assess the potential additive effect of hydroxyzine and distracting techniques. We performed a randomized double-blind, controlled clinical trial in children aged 2-16 years undergoing outpatient surgery (n = 165). Subjects were randomized to hydroxyzine (group 1) or placebo (group 2). For the secondary objective, two further groups were made by allocation by chance to hydroxyzine plus accompaniment with clowns (group 3) and placebo plus clowns (group 4). All patients were accompanied by their parents as the standard procedure. POA was determined by a modified Yale scale of POA (m-YPAS). Compliance of children during induction of anesthesia (Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC)) was also assessed. No differences (p = 0.788) were found in POA control at the time of induction measured by m-YPAS (group 1: 39.2 ± 27.9; group 2: 37.0 ± 26.1; group 3: 34.7 ± 25.5; group 4: 32.4 ± 20.5). No differences were found in the level of ICC between the different treatment arms (group 1: 1.8 ± 3.4; group 2: 1.5 ± 3.0; group 3: 1.2 ± 2.4; group 4: 1.5 ± 2.7). The combination of all treatments (group 3) was the only effective strategy to contain the progression of anxiety. In conclusion, hydroxyzine was not effective to control POA in children. The combination of hydroxyzine and clowns avoided the progression of POA in our patients. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03324828 (registered 21 September 2017, subject recruitment started on 12th January 2018).

"The Worst Is the Worry": Importance of Preoperative Preparation of Preschool Children.

Children often experience a high level of anxiety before anesthesia, which may lead to poor cooperation during anesthesia induction and negative consequences for the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to obtain knowledge that may improve practice in preparing preschoolers for anesthesia and surgery by analyzing nurse anesthetists' preoperative experiences with children. A focus group interview with nurse anesthetists was conducted. The interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim, and results were analyzed using qualitative text analysis. Three main themes were identified to relieve preschoolers' anxiety: "Making the unknown and scary harmless," "Using oneself," and "Having a lap to sit on." Findings indicate that explanation and preparation through play, as well as experiences of participation and coping, can safeguard children who are feeling anxious. The professional and personal qualities of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) are important when managing pediatric patients' anxiety. It is essential that CRNAs have the ability to adapt the induction of anesthesia to suit the child individually (and parents). The parents constitute an important collaborator for CRNAs. Young children need explanations and knowledge about what is happening and what to expect. CRNAs should focus on codetermination and participation for preschool children undergoing anesthesia.

Preoperative Music Listening in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effect of music listening on preoperative anxiety compared with usual care in patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for pelvic reconstructive surgery were enrolled on the day of surgery. Participants were randomized to either the usual care (control group) or to music listening on headphones (music group) before their surgery. Participants completed the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y1 to measure baseline state anxiety levels before surgery and again after 30 minutes of usual care or music listening. The primary outcome was the change in state anxiety score as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y1. RESULTS: Sixty-nine women completed the study (35 assigned to the control group and 34 assigned to the music group). Analysis of the primary outcome included 66 participants (34 in the control group and 32 in the music group). Improvement in state anxiety was significantly better for patients assigned to music listening (-6.69; SD, 6.98) than for patients assigned to the control group (-1.32; SD, 8.03; P = 0.01). Six weeks postoperatively, patients in the music group (n = 29) reported higher overall satisfaction when compared with those in the control group (n = 31, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery present with moderate anxiety on the day of surgery. Allowing patients to listen to their preferred music is a simple intervention that may lower preoperative anxiety and improve satisfaction in this patient population.

Association between preoperative low muscle mass and psychological factors after surgery among patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: A longitudinal study.

It remains controversial whether preoperative low muscle mass affects clinical outcomes after lumbar surgery. Previous studies evaluated outcomes such as pain, quality of life, and disability, but none investigated preoperative low muscle mass and psychological factors. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between preoperative low muscle mass and postoperative psychological factors in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). A longitudinal analysis was performed in 85 consecutive preoperative patients with LSS. Demographic data, leg pain, low back pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) score, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire on Physical Activity (FABQ-PA) score, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, walking velocity, grip strength, and appendicular lean mass were assessed. Muscle mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Patients were divided into two groups based on skeletal muscle mass index. These clinical outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year after surgery. In the 73 patients who were analyzed 1 year after surgery, the prevalence of preoperative low muscle mass was 21.9%. The normal muscle mass group showed significantly improved PCS, FABQ-PA, HADS-anxiety, and HADS-depression scores 1 year after surgery. The low muscle mass group did not demonstrate significantly improved PCS, FABQ-PA, or HADS-depression scores, and had a significantly smaller increase in the FABQ-PA score than the normal muscle mass group. Multivariate analysis showed that low muscle mass was significantly related to change in FABQ-PA score. Our results suggest that preoperative low muscle mass hinders improvement in fear-avoidance beliefs 1 year after surgery.

Memory outcomes of temporal lobe surgery in adults aged over 45 years.

OBJECTIVE: It is assumed that temporal lobe resection in older people is associated with worse seizure outcomes and potential postsurgical memory decline. We studied postsurgical memory development and surgical efficacy in patients over 45 years of age compared with younger patients. METHODS: We studied 88 patients (51 male and 37 female) after temporal lobe surgery, which involved hippocampal resection. The patients were evaluated before surgery and in the first (72 patients) and/or third (57 patients) postsurgical year. The Wechsler Memory Scale III test was performed to evaluate the MQ postsurgical development. Engel's classification was used to evaluate the postsurgical seizure outcome. RESULTS: The presurgical MQ (median 88) in ≥45 years age group was significantly lower than in both younger groups (median MQ = 100 for ≤30 years age group, p = 0.002; median MQ = 107 for 31-44 years age group, p = 0.002). Three years after the surgery, the MQ decreased significantly in ≤30 years age group (p = 0.012), while only non-significant MQ decline was observed in both older groups. We found no significant impact of age on the surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: Higher age at the time of surgery does not significantly increase the risk for postsurgical memory decline; however, older patients are more likely to have lowered presurgical MQ. We did not find significant differences in the impact of surgery on seizure outcome among the age groups. Epilepsy surgery appears to be a safe and effective method in the age over 45 years even though an earlier surgery should be preferred.

The Impact of Preoperative Depression on Patient Satisfaction With Spine Surgeons in the Outpatient Setting.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the association between preoperative depression and patient satisfaction in the outpatient spine clinic after lumbar surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The Clinician and Group Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG-CAHPS) survey is used to measure patient experience in the outpatient setting. CG-CAHPS scores may be used by health systems in physician incentive programs and quality improvement initiatives or by prospective patients when selecting spine surgeons. Although preoperative depression has been shown to predict poor patient-reported outcomes and less satisfaction with the inpatient experience following lumbar surgery, its impact on patient experience with spine surgeons in the outpatient setting remains unclear. METHODS: Patients who underwent lumbar surgery and completed the CG-CAHPS survey at postoperative follow-up with their spine surgeon between 2009 and 2017 were included. Data were collected on patient demographics, Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) scores, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System Global Health Physical Health (PROMIS-GPH) subscores. Patients with preoperative PHQ-9 scores ≥10 (moderate-to-severe depression) were included in the depressed cohort. The association between preoperative depression and top-box satisfaction ratings on several dimensions of the CG-CAHPS survey was examined. RESULTS: Of the 419 patients included in this study, 72 met criteria for preoperative depression. Depressed patients were less likely to provide top-box satisfaction ratings on CG-CAHPS metrics pertaining to physician communication and overall provider rating (OPR). Even after controlling for patient-level covariates, our multivariate analysis revealed that depressed patients had lower odds of reporting top-box OPR (odds ratio [OR]: 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06-0.63, P = 0.007), feeling that their spine surgeon provided understandable explanations (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.11-0.91, P = 0.032), and feeling that their spine surgeon provided understandable responses to their questions or concerns (OR: 0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.63, P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Preoperative depression is independently associated with lower OPR and satisfaction with spine surgeon communication in the outpatient setting after lumbar surgery.Level of Evidence: 3.

Variation in Patient-Reported Advance Care Preferences in the Preoperative Setting.

BACKGROUND: High-quality shared decision-making for patients undergoing elective surgical procedures includes eliciting patient goals and treatment preferences. This is particularly important, should complications occur and life-sustaining therapies be considered. Our objective was to determine the preoperative care preferences of older higher-risk patients undergoing elective procedures and to determine any factors associated with a preference for limitations to life-sustaining treatments. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey conducted between May and December 2018. Patients ≥55 years of age presenting for a preprocedural evaluation in a high-risk anesthesia clinic were queried on their desire for life-sustaining treatments (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and artificial nutrition) as well as tolerance for declines in health states (physical disability, cognitive disability, and daily severe pain). RESULTS: One hundred patients completed the survey. The median patient age was 68. Most patients were Caucasian (87%) and had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of III (88%). The majority of patients (89%) desired cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, most patients would not accept mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or artificial nutrition for an indefinite period of time. Similarly, most patients (67%-81%) indicated they would not desire treatments to sustain life in the event of permanent physical disability, cognitive disability, or daily severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among older, higher-risk patients presenting for elective procedures, most patients chose limitations to life-sustaining treatments. This work highlights the need for an in-depth goals of care discussion and establishment of advance care preferences before a procedure or operative intervention.

Preoperative Expectations of Patients Undergoing Knee Surgery.

There is limited validated data regarding the relationship between preoperative expectations and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients undergoing knee surgery. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the preoperative expectations of patients undergoing knee surgery and (2) determine the relationship between preoperative patient demographics, PROs, and preoperative patient expectations. We hypothesized that younger patients with worse function and worse general health status would have greater expectations of knee surgery. We analyzed data from 399 patients undergoing knee surgery at an urban academic medical center. We utilized the Musculoskeletal Outcomes Data Evaluation and Management System to measure preoperative expectations. Multiple legacy PRO measures were recorded, as well as the new Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Computer Adaptive Testing. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed to determine significance. Overall, patients undergoing knee surgery had high expectations, with a mean of 88.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.7-89.3) and median of 91.7 (95% CI, 89.2-94.3). Greater preoperative expectations of knee surgery were associated with higher income, surgically naïve knee, lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, better PROMIS Depression and Anxiety scores, greater Marx knee activity scores, and lower total body pain (p < 0.05). Preoperative expectations of patients undergoing knee surgery are associated with a history of prior knee surgery, income, general and mental health, activity, and pain. Expectations were also found to be associated with PRO measures of function and psychological well-being. These findings may have implications for patient education and shared decision-making preoperatively. The level of evidence for the study is IV.

Parkinson's Disease and Bilateral Subthalamic Nuclei Deep Brain Stimulation: Beneficial Effects of Preoperative Cognitive Restructuration Therapy on Postoperative Social Adjustment.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation improves motor symptoms and treatment-related complications in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, some patients have trouble adjusting socially after successful neurosurgery, in part because of "unrealistic" expectations and psychiatric disorders. Preoperative psychological interventions focusing on these aspects could be beneficial for such patients. METHODS: We compared the outcomes of 2 psychosocial approaches-1 based on cognitive restructuration and 1 consisting of 2 interviews-with those of a control group without preoperative preparation. All patients underwent a psychometric evaluation 2 months before surgery (M-2) and again at 3 (M+3) and 6 months (M+6) after surgery. The psychometric evaluation focused on social adjustment using the social adjustment scale-self-report. The psychiatric profile of the patients was also assessed. RESULTS: Of 73 patients initially enrolled, 62 performed the initial inclusion visit (M-2) and the 2 postoperative visits (M+3, M+6). For these 62 patients (52% male), the overall mean age was 59 ± 6.13 years, and the mean disease duration was 9.44 ± 3.62 years. No specific differences were observed for social adjustment between the groups or visits (M-2, M+3, M+6); however, an interaction was found in the cognitive restructuration group at M+6 for the family dimension of the social adjustment scale-self-report. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that even if no overall increase in the social adjustment score was observed, patients with Parkinson's disease eligible for neurosurgery should undergo preoperative psychosocial therapy to define their expectations and help them in their psychological restructuration. This type of therapy, complementary to psychoeducation, could represent an opportunity to prevent postoperative deception and social maladjustment.

The impact of early information concerning the surgical operations on anxiety in patients with burns.

AIMS: Stress has been linked to poor coping with health-related issues, poor adaptation, a decrease of quality of life, poor recovery and poor wound healing. Therefore, it is important to address patients' uncertainty and feelings of anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of providing early treatment information based on an LDI-scan to patients with burns on their feelings of anxiety. DESIGN: An observational prospective pre-test post-test study. METHODS: Patients with intermediate burns (n = 59) admitted to our burn centre in 2016 were evaluated for anxiety using a visual analogue scale (VAS-A) before and after an LDI-scan was made. Two groups were compared: a group that heard whether surgery would or would not be recommended for wound closure (certain group) versus a group that heard to wait and see whether an operation was determined to be helpful (uncertain group). RESULTS: Before the LDI-scan was made, both groups showed clinically high levels of anxiety (median VAS scores above 5). After the information gathered with the LDI was discussed with the patient, anxiety dropped significantly (median VAS below 3; p = .001). No significant differences between the groups were observed (p > .05). CONCLUSION: In contrast to other studies, anxiety was significantly reduced in all our study groups after information was shared. Early communication of knowledge by health care professionals is important regardless whether it includes treatment uncertainty.

Therapeutic Suggestion in Postoperative Pain Control: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: There is conflicting research on the effect of therapeutic suggestion in the perioperative period. This study systematically compared subjective and objective measures of postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, urinary and bowel function, and global perception of symptomatic improvement between participants receiving perioperative therapeutic suggestion versus routine perioperative care during minimally invasive pelvic reconstructive surgery. METHODS: This was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial of participants undergoing vaginal hysterectomy with minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy and concomitant prolapse repairs. The intervention group received perioperative therapeutic suggestion, whereas the control group did not. Primary outcomes included postoperative pain scores and analgesic use. Secondary outcomes included a postoperative nausea and vomiting scale, the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory Questionnaire-Short Form 20, the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale, and time to return of bowel and bladder function. RESULTS: Sixteen participants were randomized to each group. Final analysis included 15 intervention and 14 control participants. Overall measures of postoperative pain and analgesic use were low across all participants without a significant difference between intervention and control groups (opioid: 52.5; interquartile range [IQR], 25.5-58.9 vs 66 IQR, 7.3-125.8; morphine milligram equivalents; P = 0.64; acetaminophen: 2225 mg; IQR, 500-2600 mg vs 2800 mg; IQR, 650-4775 mg; P = 0.38). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes of urinary symptoms, bowel function, and subjective improvement of prolapse symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in postoperative pain, analgesic use, return of bowel and bladder function, or pelvic organ prolapse symptoms were noted in participants receiving perioperative therapeutic suggestion versus routine perioperative care.

Association Between Lower Preoperative Cognition With Intraoperative Electroencephalographic Features Consistent With Deep States of Anesthesia in Older Patients: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with low cognitive performance are thought to have a higher risk of postoperative neurocognitive disorders. Here we analyzed the relationship between preoperative cognition and anesthesia-induced brain dynamics. We hypothesized that patients with low cognitive performance would be more sensitive to anesthetics and would show differences in electroencephalogram (EEG) activity consistent with a brain anesthesia overdose. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis from a previously reported observational study. We evaluated cognitive performance using the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) test. All patients received general anesthesia maintained with sevoflurane or desflurane during elective major abdominal surgery. We analyzed the EEG using spectral, coherence, and phase-amplitude modulation analyses. RESULTS: Patients were separated into a low MoCA group (<26 points, n = 12) and a high MoCA group (n = 23). There were no differences in baseline EEG, nor end-tidal age-corrected minimum alveolar concentration (MACage). However, under anesthesia, the low MoCA group had lower α-ß power (high MoCA: 2.9 [interquartile range {IQR}: 0.6-5.8 dB] versus low MoCA: -1.2 [IQR: -2.1 to 0.6 dB], difference 4.1 [1.0-5.7]) and a lower α peak frequency (high MoCA: 9.0 [IQR: 8.3-9.8 Hz] versus low MoCA: 7.5 [IQR: 6.3-9.0 Hz], difference 1.5 [0-2.3]) compared to the high MoCA group. The low MoCA group also had a lower α band coherence and a stronger peak-max phase-amplitude coupling (PAC). Finally, patients in the low MoCA group had longer emergence times (high MoCA 663 ± 345 seconds versus low MoCA: 960 ± 352 seconds, difference 297 [15-578]). Multiple linear regression shows up that both age and MoCA scores are independently associated with intraoperative α-ß power. CONCLUSIONS: All these EEG features, together with a prolonged emergence time, are consistent with the possibility that older patients with low cognitive performance are receiving a brain anesthesia overdose compare to cognitive normal patients.

Clinical study of preoperative psychological distress and its related factors in the primary caregivers of patients with glioma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the preoperative psychological distress in the primary caregivers of glioma patients and its influencing factors and to determine the relationship between preoperative psychological states of glioma patients and their caregivers. METHODS: Using a mixed methods design, the caregivers of patients with malignant glioma were interviewed and completed questionnaires about anxiety/depression and family function during preoperative period. RESULTS: Caregivers of glioma patients had different types of psychological distress before surgery. A total of 46 caregivers (36.5 %) had preoperative psychological depression or anxiety symptom; 30 caregivers (23.8 %) had depression symptoms, 39 caregivers (31.0 %) had anxiety symptoms, and 23 (18.3 %) had both preoperative anxiety and depression symptoms. Female gender was an influential factor for both preoperative depression and anxiety symptoms in caregivers, surgical information was a risk factor for caregivers' preoperative depression symptoms and residence was a risk factor for caregivers' preoperative anxiety symptoms. The preoperative psychological states of patients was positively correlated with the preoperative anxiety and depression symptoms of caregivers. CONCLUSION: The rural female caregivers are more likely to experience psychological distress before surgery, and the preoperative psychological states of patients was positively correlated with the psychological distress in caregivers.

The effect of trimodal prehabilitation on the physical and psychological health of patients undergoing colorectal surgery: a randomised clinical trial.

Prehabilitation aims to increase the endurance capacity of patients who are awaiting major surgery. However, there are no studies investigating the implementation of this demanding and expensive intervention in low-income countries. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 4-week trimodal prehabilitation program on the physical and psychological health of patients waiting for colorectal surgery compared with a control group managed according to enhanced recovery after surgery principles supplemented by nutritional care. This study was a single-centre, randomised controlled trial. The primary outcome measures for the physical aspects were 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and incentive spirometry, whereas the psychological elements were measured using the 36-item short form survey questionnaire and the hospital anxiety and depression score. In total, data from 149 patients were analysed (77 in the prehabilitation group and 72 in the control group). At the time of surgery, patients in the prehabilitation group had improved 6MWD and incentive spirometry compared with the control group (median (IQR [range]) percentage improvement 131% (112-173 [68-376]) vs. 107% (99-120 [63-163]); p < 0.001 and 113% (100-125 [75-200]) vs. 100% (100-112 [86-167]); p < 0.001 respectively). Patients in the prehabilitation group also had reduced anxiety scores compared with the control group (mean (SD) anxiety score (4 (3) vs. 5 (3) respectively; p = 0.032). However, these effects did not translate into improvements in postoperative mortality and morbidity, or a reduction in duration of hospital stay. Trimodal (physical, emotional and nutritional) prehabilitation is able to improve functional status as well as some parameters of emotional and physical well-being of patients waiting for colorectal surgery.

Relationship between health literacy and quality of colonoscopy bowel preparation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are a variety of factors that affect the quality of colonoscopy bowel preparations, although the relationship between the level of health literacy (HL) and the quality of bowel preparations has yet to be clarified. The present study evaluated the effect of HL on the quality of bowel preparation prior to a colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 150 patients who underwent a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening and in whom the quality of bowel preparation was scored during the colonoscopy were recorded prospectively. The European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47) was used to evaluate HL prior to the colonoscopy, and the Boston bowel preparation scale was used to evaluate the quality of the bowel preparation during the colonoscopy. The demographic characteristics of the patients, the presence of comorbidities, socioeconomic characteristics (marital status, income level, and educational level), HLS-EU-Q47 questionnaire, and Boston bowel preparation scale scores were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: A significant linear relationship was identified between the general HL index score, the cleanliness of the colonic segments (right, transverse, and left colon) and the total Boston bowel preparation scale score (p=0.013, p=0.010, p=0.008, p=0.001, respectively). In a HL subgroup analysis, a significant linear relationship was noted between disease prevention and health promotion index, the cleanliness of the colonic segments (right, transverse, and left colon), and the total Boston bowel preparation scale score. It was observed that an increase in the health care index resulted in an increase in the cleanliness of the relevant colonic segments and the total Boston bowel preparation scale score. No relationship was found between the right, transverse, and left colon and the total Boston bowel preparation scale scores and gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), comorbidity, marital status, level of income, or educational level. CONCLUSION: The level of HL affects the quality of colonoscopy bowel preparations.