Objectives: To establish the level of patient anxiety about ultrasound examination; to assess patients’ understanding of the abdominal ultrasound examination and affecting factors on anxiety.

Methods: The patients (n:351) aged between 18 and 65 years old were included in the study. We used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale to assess the psychological status of all patients with abdominal ultrasound examination request. The results of psychological status of the patients were compared with healthy controls.

Results: There was no difference in anxiety and depression between controls and patients immediately prior to the ultrasound examination. Patients with anxiety in the ultrasound group had higher HAD-A score (p<0.05). Patients who took knowledge about the procedure reported significantly lower levels of anxiety than the controls.

Conclusions: The study emphasizes the need for detailed information about the procedure or becoming experienced about the procedure in decreasing anxiety.