Effect of gastrointestinal symptoms and skipping breakfast on anxiety and depression in quarantined Chinese college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross sectional survey (preprint)

Background: Strict quarantine is an effective measure to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, but it probably increases the risk of anxiety and depression. We aimed to evaluate the anxiety and depression among quarantined college students at school during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate whether gastrointestinal discomfort related-factors and skipping breakfast lead to increased risk of anxiety and depression. Methods: 384 quarantined college students in Shanghai China were recruited in this cross-sectional study from April 5th to May 29th, 2022. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively.Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 56.8% and 62.8%, respectively. Longer quarantine duration, higher education level, skipping breakfast, stomachache or abdominal pain, and nausea or dyspepsia were the risk factors for anxiety. Moreover, longer quarantine duration, being woman, skipping breakfast, stomachache or abdominal pain, and nausea or dyspepsia increased the risk of depression. Notably, regularly physical exercising and taking positive attitude towards COVID-19 can reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to anxiety and depression of quarantined college students and universities should provide timely psychological monitoring and intervention services to mitigate the impact of negative emotions on students. And effectively relieving gastrointestinal symptoms, insisting on eat breakfast, regularly exercising, and taking a positive attitude towards to COVID-19 might contribute to preventing the anxiety and depression for those college students experiencing a long-term quarantine.

Anxiety and depression status prior to radioactive iodine therapy among differentiated thyroid cancer patients during the COVID‑19 epidemic (preprint)

Objection: The psychological health of thyroid cancer patients cannot be ignored, however, few studies have been conducted on the psychological status and influencing factors of thyroid cancer patients before radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in thyroid cancer patients prior to RAI therapy. Methods: : Clinical data were collected among differentiated thyroid cancer patients (DTCs) preparing for RAI therapy. Anxiety and depression were measured before RAI therapy by using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We used chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to find independent risk factors for anxiety and depression. Results: : A total of 112 patients with thyroid cancer were included. Of these, 72.32 % (n=81) were female, with an mean age of 41.50 years. Anxiety and depression were reported by 46 (41.08%) and 38 (33.93%) patients, respectively. Based on chi-square test and univariate logistic regression analysis, being female and having ever-experienced RAI therapy were independent risk factors for anxiety and depression among DTCs prior to RAI therapy. On multivariate analysis, only being female was significant associated with anxiety and depression in these patients. Conclusions: : Incidence of anxiety and depression increased in DTCs prior to RAI therapy. Being female and ever-experienced RAI therapy significant influenced anxiety and depression. Based on these findings, anxiety and depression assessment should be an important part of pre-RAI therapy in DTCs, and appropriate psychological nursing intervention can be carried out for key patients.