Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Increase in prevalence of current mental disorders in the context of COVID-19: analysis of repeated nationwide cross-sectional surveys.
Winkler, P; Formanek, T; Mlada, K; Kagstrom, A; Mohrova, Z; Mohr, P; Csemy, L.
  • Winkler P; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
  • Formanek T; Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, David Goldberg Centre, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
  • Mlada K; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
  • Kagstrom A; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
  • Mohrova Z; Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Husova 3, 301 00Pilsen, Czech Republic.
  • Mohr P; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
  • Csemy L; National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci ; 29: e173, 2020 Sep 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2016492
ABSTRACT

AIMS:

The United Nations warned of COVID-19-related mental health crisis; however, it is unknown whether there is an increase in the prevalence of mental disorders as existing studies lack a reliable baseline analysis or they did not use a diagnostic measure. We aimed to analyse trends in the prevalence of mental disorders prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

We analysed data from repeated cross-sectional surveys on a representative sample of non-institutionalised Czech adults (18+ years) from both November 2017 (n = 3306; 54% females) and May 2020 (n = 3021; 52% females). We used Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) as the main screening instrument. We calculated descriptive statistics and compared the prevalence of current mood and anxiety disorders, suicide risk and alcohol-related disorders at baseline and right after the first peak of COVID-19 when related lockdown was still in place in CZ. In addition, using logistic regression, we assessed the association between COVID-19-related worries and the presence of mental disorders.

RESULTS:

The prevalence of those experiencing symptoms of at least one current mental disorder rose from a baseline of 20.02 (95% CI = 18.64; 21.39) in 2017 to 29.63 (95% CI = 27.9; 31.37) in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of both major depressive disorder (3.96, 95% CI = 3.28; 4.62 v. 11.77, 95% CI = 10.56; 12.99); and suicide risk (3.88, 95% CI = 3.21; 4.52 v. 11.88, 95% CI = 10.64; 13.07) tripled and current anxiety disorders almost doubled (7.79, 95% CI = 6.87; 8.7 v. 12.84, 95% CI = 11.6; 14.05). The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in 2020 was approximately the same as in 2017 (10.84, 95% CI = 9.78; 11.89 v. 9.88, 95% CI = 8.74; 10.98); however, there was a significant increase in weekly binge drinking behaviours (4.07% v. 6.39%). Strong worries about both, health or economic consequences of COVID-19, were associated with an increased odds of having a mental disorder (1.63, 95% CI = 1.4; 1.89 and 1.42, 95% CI = 1.23; 1.63 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study provides evidence matching concerns that COVID-19-related mental health problems pose a major threat to populations, particularly considering the barriers in service provision posed during lockdown. This finding emphasises an urgent need to scale up mental health promotion and prevention globally.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Mental Health / Coronavirus Infections / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S2045796020000888

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Mental Health / Coronavirus Infections / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S2045796020000888