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\begin{document}

\title{Evaluation of anxiety in patients who admitted to an ophthalmology
outpatient clinic during COVID-19 pandemic.}



\author[1]{Elif Ateş Budak}%
\author[2]{Mine Karahan}%
\author[3]{Çağla Çilem Han}%
\affil[1]{Dicle University Medical Faculty}%
\affil[2]{Dicle University}%
\affil[3]{Antalya Kepez State Hospital}%


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  \date{May 22, 2024}


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\selectlanguage{english}
\begin{abstract}
Purpose Many studies revealed that stress, anxiety and depressive
symptoms are increased during the pandemic in both healthcare workers
and the general public. In our study, we aimed to evaluate anxiety
levels in patients who applied to an Ophthalmology outpatient clinic
during the COVID-19) pandemic. We thought that close contact requirement
in eye examination might lead to the anxiety of COVID-19. Methods This
is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Dicle University
Ophthalmology department outpatient clinic. Data were collected for
COVID-19 fear and safety measurements and all the patients were applied
Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A). Results A total of 223 voluntary
participants were recruited. Of the participants, 101 were female and
122 were male. HAM-A total score mean was found 9.28 \selectlanguage{ngerman}± 8.717 and
approximately half of the patients (51.6\%) had a score of higher than 6
which means clinical significance. Women and single participants had
higher anxiety levels compared with men and married/partnership
respectively. Age, educational level and fear of COVID-19 when visiting
the hospital were found to be related to HAM-A levels. 41.7\% of the
patients had postponed the hospital admission because of the pandemic
and this was also significantly associated with the anxiety levels.
Conclusions This is the first study that investigates anxiety
specifically in an eye clinic specifically during the COVID-19 outbreak.
This study, apart from supporting the increased anxiety levels in the
pandemic, highlights that anxiety must have caused a problem of proper
access to health services. Key words: COVID-19, anxiety, pandemic,
ophthalmology%
\end{abstract}\selectlanguage{ngerman}%



\sloppy


\textbf{Evaluation of anxiety in patients who admitted to an
ophthalmology outpatient clinic during COVID-19 pandemic.}

\textbf{Aims}

Many studies revealed that stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms are
increased during the pandemic in both healthcare workers and the general
public. In our study, we aimed to evaluate anxiety levels in patients
who applied to an Ophthalmology outpatient clinic during the COVID-19
pandemic. We thought that close contact requirement in eye examination
might lead to the anxiety of COVID-19.

\textbf{Methods}

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in Dicle
University Ophthalmology department outpatient clinic. Data were
collected for COVID-19 fear and safety measurements and all the patients
were applied Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A).

\textbf{Results}

A total of 223 voluntary participants were recruited. Of the
participants, 101 were female and 122 were male. HAM-A total score mean
was found 9.28 \selectlanguage{ngerman}± 8.717 and approximately half of the patients (51.6\%)
had a score of higher than 6, which means clinical significance. Women
and single participants had higher anxiety levels compared with men and
married/partnership respectively. Age, educational level and fear of
COVID-19 when visiting the hospital were found to be related to HAM-A
levels. 41.7\% of the patients had postponed the hospital admission
because of the pandemic and this was also significantly associated with
the anxiety levels.

\textbf{Conclusions}

This is the first study that investigates anxiety specifically in an eye
clinic during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study, apart from supporting
the increased anxiety levels in the pandemic, highlights that anxiety
must have caused a problem of proper access to health services.

\textbf{Key words} : COVID-19, anxiety, pandemic, ophthalmology

\selectlanguage{english}
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