Fears and pre-colonoscopy anxiety: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES

to map the scientific evidence regarding the fears and emotions of patients undergoing colonoscopy, along with associated variables.

METHODS

a scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute Protocol, guided by the research question: "What are the fears and emotions associated with undergoing a colonoscopy, and associated variables?" A literature search was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and RCAAP databases in June 2025, including articles in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

RESULTS

a total of 512 references were retrieved. After applying the inclusion criteria, 24 articles published between 1990 and 2024 were analyzed. Reported fears and emotions included concerns about medical complications, diagnosis, and pain. Variables such as information about the procedure, previous experiences, and gender influenced anxiety levels.

CONCLUSIONS

adopting a biopsychosocial approach reduces anxiety and improves both the quality and adherence to colonoscopy, guiding more effective and holistic care interventions.