IMR Press / JOMH / Volume 18 / Issue 9 / DOI: 10.31083/j.jomh1809182
Open Access Original Research
Evolution of Anxiety and Depression in Men during the First Six Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Factors Associated with Worsening of Mental Health: Retrospective Longitudinal Study
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1 Aragonese Primary Care Research Group (GAIAP, B21_20R), Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
2 Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
3 Network for Research on Chronicity, Primary Care and Health Promotion (RICAPPS), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
4 I-Saúde Group, South Galicia Health Research Institute, 36201 Vigo, Spain
5 Vigo Health Area, SERGAS, 36201 Vigo, Spain
*Correspondence: bolivan@unizar.es (Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez)
J. Mens. Health 2022, 18(9), 182; https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jomh1809182
Submitted: 26 February 2022 | Revised: 31 March 2022 | Accepted: 13 April 2022 | Published: 1 September 2022
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.
This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a huge impact on the psychological wellbeing of the population, however, few studies have analysed the psychological consequences for the most vulnerable groups, particularly those suffering from depression and anxiety, and specifically in men. The objective of this study is to analyse the changes in a population of men undergoing active treatment for depression or anxiety and factors associated with these changes. Methods: Retrospective, longitudinal and observational study of a population of 28,294 men in northern Spain. The study variables were sociodemographic variables, chronic comorbidities, COVID-19 infection, anxiolytic and antidepressant drug consumption, and use of healthcare resources. These variables were collected from the Primary Health Care electronic records for the two distinct periods (6 months before and 6 months following the end of the lockdown). To compare drug patterns and the use of healthcare resources a paired Student’s T-test was used. To analyse associated factors related to a deterioration of mental disorders, a multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results: In relation to changes in drug patterns, 40% of men saw an increase in at least one Defined Daily Dose (DDD) of their prescribed drugs during the 6 months following lockdown and the number of appointments at health centres and home visits significantly decreased. Factors associated with a deterioration of mental disorders are being under 60 years old, having an income of less than 18,000 euros/year and suffering from more than one comorbidity. Conclusions: The pandemic had a significant impact on men with a previous diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety.

Keywords
depression
anxiety
men
COVID-19 pandemic
anxiolytic
antidepressant
drug consumption
use of healthcare resources
Funding
COV01/Department for Science, Universities and the Knowledge Society of the Government of Aragon (Spain)
PI21/01356/Health Institute Carlos III
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