Ansiedade, medo, dor e pensamento catastrófico durante o tratamento endodôntico em pacientes gestantes e não gestantes.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of dental pain and its association with dental anxiety, fear,of endodontic treatment and catastrophysing in pregnant and nonpregnant patients undergoing endodontic treatment. The study comprised 56 women, 30 non-pregnant and 26 pregnant, aged 18-40 years. Dental pain was measured by a numerical scale, applied before, between, and after endodontic treatment. The validated portuguese version of the Dental Anxiety Scale was used to evaluate dental anxiety. Questions about the origin of fear to endodontic treatment and catastrophic thoughts were also included in the study. After clinical examination, anamnesis, and application of the questionnaires, the endodontic intervention was performed by two previously trained dentists under controlled and standardized conditions, and under the supervision of an endodontics professor. The results were analyzed using STATA software version 12.0 and the variables were considered significant for a p , 0.05 after adjustment. The mean of initial pain scores was 8.25 ± 1.80, claiming that the majority of patients experienced intense initial dental pain. The reported pain decreased significantly after the dental intervention, and then, after root canal obturation. The means of initial and postoperative pain were not different among pregnant and non-pregnant patients. Most participants had not had previous endodontic treatment (73.36%).The indices of dental anxiety and catastrophic thoughts did not differ between groups. Regarding the fear of endodontic treatment, participants indicated that the cognitive, conditioning and the vicarious pathways were the most influential ones. Patients who presented higher levels of anxiety also presented higher levels of post operative pain 48h after the first appointment. The levels of dental anxiety during dental intervention decreased in the second visit, in relation to the first one. In conclusion, the data showed that higher levels of initial pain, are correlated with greater anxiety during the first appointment and with greater feeling of hopelessness. The levels of pain, anxiety and catastrophic thinking were not higher among pregnant patients.