Translation of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) into Danish

Abstract
Background. Preoperative anxiety is common among patients scheduled for surgery and can have affect clinical outcomes. The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) is a scale used to assess preoperative anxiety and the need for information among surgical patients. The aim of this study was to translate the original version of APAIS into Danish. Furthermore, to evaluate the Danish version of the APAIS by following the guidelines provided by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR).
Methods
The translation process followed the ISPOR guidelines and involved forward and back trans-lations, reconciliation, cognitive debriefing, and proofreading. The results were evaluated through statistical analysis.
Results
A total of 14 total knee arthroplasty patients participated in the cognitive debriefing process and provided feedback on the comprehensibility and feasibility of the Danish version of APAIS. Based on the feedback from the cognitive debriefing, the Danish version of APAIS demonstrated comprehensibility and feasibility. The difference in comprehensibility and feasibility between middle-aged and elderly individuals was statistically non-significant.
Conclusion
The Danish version of APAIS is comprehensible and feasible for assessing preoperative anxiety and the need for information among Danish-speaking patients who were scheduled for total knee arthroplasty surgery.
Clinical Relevance
The Danish APAIS provides a time-efficient, culturally appropriate alternative to existing scales, supporting early identification of anxiety and enhancing patient-centered care. By addressing preoperative concerns, the scale has the potential to improve surgical outcomes, streamline recovery processes, and foster better communication between patients and clinical teams.