The Impact of Body Mass Index on Anxiety Levels in Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department with Dental Pain: A Comparative Analysis Using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory

Dental pain frequently accounts for a significant proportion of visits to emergency departments. While the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and anxiety has been examined in various contexts, the specific impact of BMI on anxiety associated with dental pain remains poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the effect of body mass index on anxiety levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with dental pain, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on patients presenting to the emergency department with dental pain complaints. Participants were categorized by body mass index (BMI) according to the World Health Organization classification system. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), which consists of two distinct components: State Anxiety (STAI-S), which evaluates situational anxiety, and Trait Anxiety (STAI-T), which measures baseline anxiety predisposition. Statistical analyses : To examine the relationship between BMI and anxiety levels, we used descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis. These methods allowed us to assess differences in anxiety across BMI categories and determine the strength of their associations. A p-value threshold of less than 0.05 was set to indicate statistical significance. A significant correlation was found between BMI and anxiety levels among patients experiencing dental pain. Higher BMI was associated with increased scores on both the STAI-S and STAI-T. Statistically significant differences were observed among various BMI categories, indicating that individuals classified as overweight or obese exhibit higher anxiety levels compared to those with a normal BMI. Multiple factors, including marital status, the presence of chronic illness, smoking, lower educational attainment, reduced income levels, and unemployment, were identified as significant contributors to elevated anxiety levels (p < 0.05). The results suggest that BMI may play a significant role in influencing anxiety levels among patients experiencing dental pain. Understanding the nuances of this relationship could enable healthcare professionals to provide more effective psychological support and develop targeted interventions tailored to specific BMI categories. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking BMI to anxiety associated with dental pain.