[The relationship between pre-operative emotional states and stress-linked parameters in surgical patients (author's...

The relationship between the pre-operative emotional state and stress-linked endocrine, respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular parameters was investigated. It could be demonstrated that the patients' affective state, especially anxiety, depression, feeling of debility, affected endocrine and metabolic function (concentration of serum cortisone and of serum free fatty acids respectively) as well as cardiovascular function, viz.: heart rate, systolic blood pressure and tension-time index. Subjects in a poor pre-operative state of mind showed statistically significant increases in serum cortisone levels and heart rate and also a higher tension-time index. Patients in a depressed state also had markedly higher heart rates immediately before the operation than had those who were in a cheerful confident mood. On the other hand the serum levels of free fatty acids, determined immediately before the operation, were higher in the latter than they were in patients who felt weak and debilitated. The observations are interpreted as the result of increased tone of the sympathetic nervous system in the presence of sthenic affects. The fact that these observations were made in patients undergoing the usual preparatory procedure prior to anaesthesia and surgery indicates that the routine preoperative preparations do not take sufficient account of the psychic and psychophysiological condition of the patient. Both the somatic and the emotional and psychophysiological responses should be considered in the preparation of the patient for surgery. Verification of the therapeutic success should include psychometric methods and measurement of stress-linked parameters.