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Citation
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Al-Sofiani ME, Albunyan S, Alguwaihes AM, Kalyani RR, Golden SH, Alfadda A. J. Diabetes 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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AIMS: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among people with and without diabetes during the COVID-19 outbreak.
METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study collecting demographic and mental health data from 2166 participants living in the Arab Gulf region (568 with diabetes, 1598 without diabetes). Depression and anxiety were assessed using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, respectively.
RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms were 61% and 45%, in people with diabetes (PWD) and 62% and 44%, respectively, in people without diabetes. PWD who have had their diabetes visit cancelled by the clinic were more likely to report depression and anxiety symptoms than those without diabetes [OR (95% CI): 1.37 (1.02, 1.84) and 1.37 (1.04, 1.80), for depression and anxiety; respectively]. PWD who had no method of telecommunication with their health care providers (HCP) during the pandemic, PWD with A1C of ≥ 10%, women, employees (particularly HCPs), students, unmarried individuals, and those with lower income were more likely to report depression and/or anxiety symptoms (all p<0.01). Fear of acquiring the coronavirus infection; running out of diabetes medications; or requiring hospitalization for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, or diabetic ketoacidosis; and lack of telecommunication with HCPs were all associated with significantly higher odds of having depression and anxiety symptoms among PWD.
CONCLUSIONS: The remarkably high prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among subgroups of PWD, calls for urgent public health policies to address mental health during the pandemic and re-establish health care access for PWD.
Language: en |