Validation of Kannada Version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Preoperative anxiety is a complex and subjective phenomenon, most commonly observed in patients posted for elective surgery. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) has been widely used in preoperative settings to measure anxiety quickly. This study aimed to translate the APAIS into Kannada and to evaluate its psychometric properties.

METHOD

The study involved forward and backward translation of APAIS into Kannada followed by a cognitive interview of 10 patients by clinical psychologist to confirm the correct translation. The translated version was then administered to 240 patients who were posted for elective surgery along with the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). Reliability and internal consistency were assessed by calculating Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed by principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Criteria validity was assessed by evaluating the correlation between APAIS and VAS-A.

RESULT

The Kannada-translated version of APAIS was completed by 224 patients posted for elective surgery. Cronbach's alpha was 0.82 and 0.83 for anxiety and need for information items, respectively. Root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), comparative fit index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) were 0.07, 0.98, and 0.96, respectively, for three-factor model, indicating it to be best fit for Kannada version of APAIS.

CONCLUSION

The Kannada version of APAIS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring preoperative anxiety in patients undergoing elective surgery.