Abstract

The effect of information level and coping style on pain and anxiety in needle liver biopsy

Biopsy of the liver is an important diagnostic procedure. The ­procedure is invasive and may be painful for patients. Sedative drugs are not used because the associated drop in blood pressure mimics hemorrhage, a major complication of the procedure. Cognitive and behavioural techniques have been used to decrease stress in patients undergoing other medical procedures. In the present study, it is ­postulated that providing procedural and sensory information may reduce patient anxiety levels. Patient coping styles were evaluated and anxiety and pain levels were assessed by using a visual analogue scale. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The ­control group received basic information about the procedure. The ­experimental group received the same basic information followed by more detailed educational information. Subjects also filled out the Krantz Health Opinion Survey, a short questionnaire used to classify coping styles as either information-seeking or ­information-avoiding. Seventy-five subjects (38 control and 37 experimental) with similar demographics were included in the present study. No significant ­differences were found in anxiety levels or pain levels 30 min and 6 h postbiopsy. There was also no significant difference between groups once coping style was added into the ­analysis. The study failed to show any advantage in ­providing additional information to subjects before liver biopsy, regardless of coping style.