Abstract
This study assesses the prevalence of anxiety and identify its influencing factors among patients under observation in the emergency department of a large tertiary care hospital, aiming to inform targeted psychological interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and November 2023, involving 98 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Anxiety levels were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between anxiety and demographic or clinical variables. Among the participants, 32 patients (32.7%) exhibited anxiety symptoms, with 18 (18.4%) classified as mild, 10 (10.2%) as moderate, and 4 (4.1%) as severe. Multivariate analysis identified age 40 to 59 years (OR = 1.861, P = .007), high school education (OR = 2.809, P = .012), musculoskeletal disorders (OR = 5.07, P = .003), and high perceived illness severity (OR = 3.785, P = .004) as independent predictors of anxiety. Anxiety is prevalent among emergency department patients, particularly those aged 40 to 59, with high school education, musculoskeletal disorders, or perceived severe illness. Routine anxiety screening and targeted psychological support for these high-risk groups are recommended to improve mental health and overall care outcomes in emergency settings.