National survey on patient's fears before a general surgery procedure.

Objective: To assess the magnitude of the different causes of anxiety in patients and families, facing surgery.

Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter national survey recruiting 1,260 participants between patients and companions, analyzing the impact of 14 areas selected based on scientific publications aimed at the general public, concerning patients and/or companions, focused on concern about surgery. Patient sex, age, type of surgery (minor/major) and expected inpatient or ambulatory surgery were analyzed.