Dados do Trabalho

Título

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSES BEFORE AND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: FINDINGS FROM THE ELSA-BRASIL COVID-19 MENTAL HEALTH COHORT.

Introdução

There is mixed evidence on increasing rates of psychiatric disorders and symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We evaluated pandemic-related psychopathology and psychiatry diagnoses and their determinants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Health (ELSA-Brasil) São Paulo Research Center.

Objetivo

We evaluated pandemic-related psychopathology and psychiatry diagnoses and their determinants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Health (ELSA-Brasil) São Paulo Research Center.

Método

Between pre-pandemic ELSA-Brasil assessments in 2008–2010 (wave-1), 2012–2014 (wave-2), 2016–2018 (wave-3) and three pandemic assessments in 2020 (COVID-19 waves in May–July, July–September, and October–December), rates of common psychiatric symptoms, and depressive, anxiety, and common mental disorders (CMDs) were compared using the Clinical Interview Scheduled-Revised (CIS-R) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Multivariable generalized linear models, adjusted by age, gender, educational
level, and ethnicity identified variables associated with an elevated risk for mental disorders.

Resultados

In 2117 participants (mean age 62.3 years, 58.2% females), rates of common mental disorders and depressive disorders did not significantly change over time, oscillating from 23.5%-21.1%, and 3.3%-2.8%, respectively; while anxiety disorders’ rate significantly decreased (2008-10: 13.8%; 2016-18: 9.8%; 2020: 8%). There was a decrease along 3 Wave-Covid assessments for depression (β=-0.37, 99.5%CI [-0.50,-0.23]), anxiety (β=-0.37, 99.5%CI [-0.48,-0.26]), and stress (β=-0.48, 99.5%CI [-0.64,-0.33]) symptoms (all ps<0.001). Younger age, female sex, lower educational level, non-white ethnicity, and previous psychiatric disorders were associated with increased odds for psychiatric disorders, whereas self-evaluated good health and good quality of relationships with decreased risk.

Conclusão

No consistent evidence of pandemic-related worsening psychopathology in our cohort was found. Indeed, psychiatric symptoms slightly decreased along 2020. Risk factors representing socioeconomic disadvantages were associated with increased odds of psychiatric disorders.

Palavras-chave

depressão
epidemiologia
COVID-19