The relationship between spiritual well‐being and surgical fear in elderly patients with gonarthrosis

Background Gonarthrosis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterised by prolonged pain, affecting ~10% of men and 18% of women aged 60 and older worldwide. Surgical interventions are commonly employed in patients with gonarthrosis to minimise disability, alleviate pain, and improve overall quality of life. However, surgical treatment remains a feared experience. This study was conducted to identify the levels of spiritual well‐being and surgical anxiety in elderly patients diagnosed with gonarthrosis who are scheduled for surgical intervention. The aim was to examine the relationship between these factors and identify influencing elements. Methods This descriptive and correlational study was conducted between September 2022 and June 2023 in the orthopaedics and traumatology service of a state hospital, involving 105 patients aged 65 and above with gonarthrosis and admitted for treatment. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Surgical Fear Questionnaire, and Three‐Factor Spiritual Well‐being Scale. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical tests, Mann–Whitney U‐test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman correlation analysis. Results The short‐term surgical fear of patients was 11.69 ± 7.55, the long‐term surgical fear was 10.70 ± 9.53, and the total surgical fear was 22.40 ± 14.69 points, indicating a low level. Single and inexperienced elderly patients had higher levels of surgical fear (P