Difference of Anxiety of Parents: before & after the VCUG

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) is the investigation of choice in detecting the vesicoureteral reflux in urinary tract infections in children. As it is a potentially distressing and invasive test, most of the parents are so concerned about the child's stress. In this study, we compared the difference of the state of anxiety of parents before and after the VCUG. METHODS: We divided 68 parents whose children underwent VCUG into 2 groups; who have given an explanation about VCUG in detail using pictures (group 1) Vs. who have given an oral explanation only (group 2). All the parents submitted the same questionnaire 2 times before and after the VCUG, which consisted of State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory X-I (STAI-X-I) and visual analog scale (VAS) on the perception of worry, anxiety, confusion and pain. RESULTS: Before VCUG, the perception of pain was higher in group 1 (P < 0.05). After VCUG, the anxiety and confusion were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1 (P < 0.05). In group 1, STAI-X-I scores, the perception of worry and anxiety were significantly decreased after the VCUG (P < 0.05). In group 2, the confusion and pain were increased after VCUG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It showed that doctor's explanation on the procedure in advance may raise the perception of pain and the possibility of refusal by parents. But the STAI-X-I, worry, anxiety after VCUG were significantly decreased in group 1, while the confusion and pain were increased in group 2. Therefore we suggest that prior and sufficient explanation about invasive procedure like VCUG can be helpful in ameliorating the anxiety of the parents.