Fear of stinging insects in relation to state anxiety and trait anxiety in a group of patients with hymenoptera venom allergy undergoing immunotherapy.

Introduction: The level of fear of hymenoptera associated with stinging or envenomation may depend on situational factors and on trait anxiety characteristic of each patient.

Aim: To assess the relationship between fear of stinging insects on the one hand and state anxiety and trait anxiety on the other in a group of patients with hymenoptera venom allergy.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted by the Department of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Internal Diseases, Dr J. Biziel University Hospital No. 2 in Bydgoszcz, Poland. A total of 114 patients (71 women (63%) and 43 men (37%)) with hymenoptera venom allergy undergoing immunotherapy participated in the study. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and a dedicated scale developed by the authors for this study were used.

Results: State anxiety was found to significantly ( < 0.05) correlate with anxiety in the present moment ( = 0.247), in a situation of real danger (appearance of an insect) ( = 0.223) and during the spring and summer seasons ( = 0.278). Trait anxiety was found to significantly ( < 0.05) correlate with anxiety before immunotherapy (R = 0.261), in the present moment ( = 0.257), in a situation of real danger (appearance of an insect) ( = 0.254), and after an insect sting ( = 0.236). These were also weak correlations. The correlation between trait anxiety and anxiety during the spring and summer seasons was moderate ( = 0.331).

Conclusions: The levels of trait and state anxiety are associated with the magnitude of the fear of the danger. Respondents showed a higher level of anxiety in a situation of danger and after an insect sting.