Evaluation of Anxiety Status of Patients with “Low Grade Smear” as A Result of Cervical Smear Servikal Smear Sonucu “Düşük Dereceli Smear” Olan Hastaların Anksiyete Durumlarının Değerlendirilmesi
Medical Journal of Bakirkoy, cilt.22, sa.1, ss.49-59, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 22 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/bmj.galenos.2025.2024.10-2
- Dergi Adı: Medical Journal of Bakirkoy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.49-59
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Pap smear test, anxiety, cervical cancer
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: To evaluate anxiety levels in patients with abnormal Pap smear results. Upon identifying a significant increase in anxiety levels, the researchers seek to adopt a holistic approach to women‘s health by proposing strategies to mitigate psychosocial impacts and outlining potential preventive measures. Methods: The study protocol complied with the ethical standards outlined in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of University of Health Sciences Türkiye, İstanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital (approval no: KAEK/2018.6.16, date: 30.07.2018). After obtaining ethics committee approval, patients who met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and provided informed consent were consecutively enrolled in the study groups until the target sample size was reached. This prospective study included 94 outpatients in the research group with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) Pap smear results. The control group consisted of 94 outpatients who were seen at the gynecology clinic of our hospital and had negative Pap smear results. After their physicians informed them of their test results, patients were provided with information about the study and asked to give informed consent. They were then asked to complete a semi-structured interview form, the state-trait anxiety inventory, and the health anxiety inventory. Results: Family history of cancer, current medical conditions, single or divorced marital status, and higher educational level were identified as factors associated with increased anxiety levels. Anxiety levels were significantly higher among patients with ASC-US and LSIL results than those in the control group. Conclusion: Although the probability of cervical cancer among patients with low-grade smear results is extremely low (approximately 1-2 per 1,000), this group exhibited a significant increase in anxiety levels. This appears to be related to patients misinterpreting their results and lacking adequate knowledge of cervical cancer. However, anxiety levels can be reduced if healthcare professionals provide patients with clearer, more detailed, and more comprehensible information. While the primary goal of screening tests is the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, it is equally important to preserve patients’ mental well-being and to adopt a more holistic approach to healthcare.