The impact of body mass index on anxiety levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with dental pain: a comparative analysis using the state-trait anxiety inventory

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 6, 783 - 791, 26.10.2025

Özge Doğan , Suat Serhan Altıntepe Doğan , Özgür Doğan

https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1762618

Abstract

Aims: Dental pain frequently accounts for a significant proportion of visits to emergency departments (EDs). While the relationship between body-mass index (BMI) and anxiety has been examined in various contexts, the specific impact of BMI on anxiety associated with dental pain remains poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the effect of BMI on anxiety levels in patients presenting to the ED with dental pain, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on patients presenting to the ED with dental pain complaints. Participants were categorized by BMI according to the World Health Organization classification system. Anxiety levels were assessed using the STAI, which consists of two distinct components: state anxiety (STAI-S), which evaluates situational anxiety, and trait anxiety (STAI-T), which measures baseline anxiety predisposition.
Results: A significant correlation was found between BMI and anxiety levels among patients experiencing dental pain. Higher BMI was associated with increased scores on both the STAI-S and STAI-T. Statistically significant differences were observed among various BMI categories, indicating that individuals classified as overweight or obese exhibit higher anxiety levels compared to those with a normal BMI. Multiple factors, including marital status, the presence of chronic illness, smoking, lower educational attainment, reduced income levels, and unemployment, were identified as significant contributors to elevated anxiety levels (p<0.05). Statistical analyses: To examine the relationship between BMI and anxiety levels, we used descriptive statistics, Independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. These methods allowed us to assess differences in anxiety across BMI categories and determine the strength of their associations. A p-value threshold of less than 0.05 was set to indicate statistical significance.
Conclusion: The results suggest that BMI may play a significant role in influencing anxiety levels among patients experiencing dental pain. Understanding the nuances of this relationship could enable healthcare professionals to provide more effective psychological support and develop targeted interventions tailored to specific BMI categories. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking BMI to anxiety associated with dental pain.

Keywords

Emergency department , dental pain , STAI-S , STAI-T , dental anxiety

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was received from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, with protocol number 2025/132. All legal permissions for the conduct of the study were obtained from relevant institutions and organizations. In addition, consent to participate was obtained from the participants.

Thanks

All authors thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Batuhan Bakırarar (PhD) for providing statistical assistance in the preparation of the manuscript. We extend our gratitude to all participants who contributed their time and effort to this study.

Vücut kitle indeksinin, diş ağrısı ile acil servise başvuran hastalarda anksiyete düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisi: durumluk-sürekli kaygı envanteri kullanılarak karşılaştırmalı bir analiz

Abstract

Giriş / Amaç: Diş ağrısı, acil servis başvurularının önemli bir bölümünü oluşturmaktadır. Vücut kitle indeksi (VKI) ile anksiyete arasındaki ilişki farklı bağlamlarda incelenmiş olsa da, VKI’nin diş ağrısına bağlı anksiyete üzerindeki özgül etkisi yeterince anlaşılamamıştır. Bu çalışma, diş ağrısı şikâyetiyle acil servise başvuran hastalarda VKI’nin anksiyete düzeylerine etkisini, Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri (STAI) kullanarak değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Kesitsel bir analiz, diş ağrısı şikâyetiyle acil servise başvuran hastalar üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılar, Dünya Sağlık Örgütü’nün VKI sınıflandırma sistemine göre kategorilere ayrılmıştır. Anksiyete düzeyleri, iki bileşenden oluşan Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri (STAI) ile değerlendirilmiştir.
Bulgular / Sonuçlar: Diş ağrısı yaşayan hastalarda VKI ile anksiyete düzeyleri arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon bulunmuştur. Yüksek VKI, hem STAI-S hem de STAI-T puanlarının artışı ile ilişkilendirilmiştir. VKI kategorileri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılıklar saptanmış olup, fazla kilolu veya obez olarak sınıflandırılan bireylerin, normal VKI’ye sahip olanlara kıyasla daha yüksek anksiyete düzeyine sahip olduğu belirlenmiştir. Medeni durum, kronik hastalık varlığı, sigara kullanımı, düşük eğitim düzeyi, düşük gelir seviyesi ve işsizlik gibi çok sayıda faktörün artmış anksiyete düzeyleriyle anlamlı şekilde ilişkili olduğu tespit edilmiştir (p < 0,05).
İstatistiksel Analiz: VKI ile anksiyete düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek için tanımlayıcı istatistikler, bağımsız örneklem t-testi, tek yönlü ANOVA ve Pearson korelasyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Bu yöntemler, VKI kategorileri arasındaki anksiyete farklılıklarını değerlendirmeyi ve değişkenler arasındaki ilişkinin gücünü belirlemeyi sağlamıştır. p<0,05 değeri istatistiksel anlamlılık sınırı olarak kabul edilmiştir.
Sonuç: Bulgular, VKI’nin diş ağrısı yaşayan hastalarda anksiyete düzeylerini etkilemede önemli bir rol oynayabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu ilişkinin ayrıntılarını anlamak, sağlık profesyonellerinin psikolojik desteği daha etkili sunmalarına ve belirli VKI kategorilerine yönelik hedeflenmiş müdahaleler geliştirmelerine katkı sağlayabilir. VKI ile diş ağrısına bağlı anksiyete arasındaki mekanizmaların açıklığa kavuşturulması için ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır.

Keywords

Acil Servis , Diş Ağrısı , STAİ-S , STAİ-T , Dental anksiyete , Acil Bakım

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