Prospective study of preoperative anxiety and impact on postoperative pain perception and recovery quality in patients undergoing thyroidectomy

Table 2 Comparison of postoperative outcomes between anxiety groups, n (%) or mean ± SD

Outcome variable	Low anxiety (n = 168)	High anxiety (n = 132)	P value
Pain (VAS)
24 hours	3.21 ± 1.34	4.82 ± 1.56	< 0.001
48 hours	2.45 ± 1.18	3.67 ± 1.42	< 0.001
72 hours	1.68 ± 0.95	2.54 ± 1.23	< 0.001
QoR-40 total score	165.82 ± 15.67	142.36 ± 18.45	< 0.001
Physical comfort	52.34 ± 5.67	44.56 ± 6.89	< 0.001
Emotional state	38.67 ± 4.23	29.45 ± 5.12	< 0.001
Physical independence	22.45 ± 2.34	19.23 ± 2.89	< 0.001
Psychological support	30.12 ± 3.45	26.78 ± 4.12	< 0.001
Pain	22.24 ± 2.67	22.34 ± 3.23	0.769
DVT incidence	3 (1.79)	9 (6.82)	0.024
NDI score (1-month)	18.32 ± 6.54	28.45 ± 8.67	< 0.001
POSAS score (1-month)	24.67 ± 6.45	32.56 ± 7.89	< 0.001
Postoperative stay, days	2.67 ± 0.89	3.45 ± 1.12	< 0.001
Central LN metastasis	69 (41.07)	51 (38.64)	0.667

VAS: Visual Analog Scale; QoR-40: Quality of Recovery-40; DVT: Deep vein thrombosis; NDI: Neck Disability Index; POSAS: Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale; LN: Lymph node.