RESUMO
BackgroundChanges in lifestyle, finances and work status during COVID-19 lockdowns may have led to biopsychosocial changes in people with pre-existing vulnerabilities such as Major Depressive Disorders (MDD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MethodsData were collected as a part of the RADAR-CNS (Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse - Central Nervous System) programme. We analyzed the following data from long-term participants in a decentralized multinational study: symptoms of depression, heart rate (HR) during the day and night; social activity; sedentary state, steps and physical activity of varying intensity. Linear mixed-effects regression analyses with repeated measures were fitted to assess the changes among three time periods (pre, during and post-lockdown) across the groups, adjusting for depression severity before the pandemic and gender. ResultsParticipants with MDD (N=255) and MS (N=214) were included in the analyses. Overall, depressive symptoms remained stable across the three periods in both groups. Lower mean HR and HR variation were observed between pre and during lockdown during the day for MDD and during the night for MS. HR variation during rest periods also decreased between pre-and post-lockdown in both clinical conditions. We observed a reduction of physical activity for MDD and MS upon the introduction of lockdowns. The group with MDD exhibited a net increase in social interaction via social network apps over the three periods. ConclusionsBehavioral response to the lockdown measured by social activity, physical activity and HR may reflect changes in stress in people with MDD and MS.
RESUMO
With the aim of analyzing the psychosocial impact of Covid-19 pandemic on society in general and health care workers in particular, we developed a 74-question survey questionnaire which was shared through social media. After analyzing 56,656 responses obtained during the first pandemic peak, the results showed an early and important negative impact on family finances, fear of working with Covid-19 patients and ethical issues related to Covid-19 care among healthcare workers (HCW). We have identified 7 target groups at higher risk of impaired mental health and susceptible to benefiting from an intervention: women, under 42 years of age, people with care burden, socio-economically deprived groups, people with unskilled or unqualified jobs, Covid-19 patients, and HCW working with Covid-19 patients. These results should encourage the active implementation of specific strategies to increase resilience in these groups and to prepare an adequate organizational response. Summary boxO_ST_ABSWhat is already known?C_ST_ABSO_LIStudies in small cohorts have reported an important impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the general population at several levels C_LIO_LIAccording to previous studies in small cohorts, approximately 20% of the population suffered from impaired mental health status due to the pandemic C_LI What are the new findings?O_LIWe have studied 56,656 survey questionnaires to assess the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on health status, family finances, habits, general health and mental health status, and ethics, especially in health care workers C_LIO_LIWe have identified 7 target groups susceptible to benefitting from an intervention, and which should be taken into account when designing new contention measures against the pandemic C_LI What do the new findings imply?O_LIThe design and active implementation of interventions to build individual resilience, especially for the targeted populations described, and preparation of an appropriate organizational response are key C_LIO_LIThe results obtained in this project could help local and national Governments to design or adjust coping measures against future outbreaks C_LI
