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. 2020 Aug 31:12:76.
doi: 10.1186/s13098-020-00584-6. eCollection 2020.

Mental health in the era of COVID-19: prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during the social distancing

Janine Alessi  1   2   3 , Giovana Berger de Oliveira  4   5 , Debora Wilke Franco  4   5 , Bibiana Brino do Amaral  4   5 , Alice Scalzilli Becker  4   5 , Carolina Padilla Knijnik  4   5 , Gabriel Luiz Kobe  4   5 , Taíse Rosa de Carvalho  6   5 , Guilherme Heiden Telo  6   5 , Beatriz D Schaan  1   7   8   9   3 , Gabriela Heiden Telo  2   4   6   9   5
Affiliations

Mental health in the era of COVID-19: prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes during the social distancing

Janine Alessi et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Background: In patients with diabetes, the prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms is about two to four times greater than in the general population. The association between diabetes and mental health disorders could be exacerbated in a stressful environment, and psychological distress could increase depressive symptoms and cause adverse diabetes outcomes.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of mental health disorders in patients with diabetes during the social distancing period due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study developed to assess the impact of social distancing on a cohort of adults with type 1 (n = 52) and type 2 diabetes (n = 68) in Brazil. Inclusion criteria involved having an HbA1c test collected in the past 3 months and having a valid telephone number in electronic medical records. The primary outcome was the prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders, assessed by survey (SRQ-20). Secondary outcomes included the prevalence of diabetes related emotional distress, eating and sleeping disorders, all assessed by validated surveys at the moment of the study. Statistical analyses included unpaired t-test for continuous variables and χ 2 test for categorical variables.

Results: Overall (n = 120), participants had a mean age of 54.8 ± 14.4 years-old, and HbA1c of 9.0 ± 1.6% (75 ± 17.5 mmol/mol); 93% of patients showed signs of current mental suffering based on the surveys measured. Almost 43% of patients showed evidence of significant psychological distress, with a significant greater tendency in patients with type 2 diabetes. The presence of diabetes related emotional distress was found in 29.2% of patients; eating disorders in 75.8%; and moderate/severe sleeping disorders in 77.5%.

Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of evidence of psychological distress among patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic and this highlights the need for mental health access and support for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Diabetes mellitus; Mental health; Quarantine; Social distancing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThere is no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of positive screening for psychiatric disorders among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The Self Report Questionnaire-20 (SRQ 20) was used for the assessment of minor psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Diabetes related emotional distress was assessed by the Brazilian Problem Areas in Diabetes Scale (B-PAID). The prevalence of eating disorders was assessed by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT–26). The Mini Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ) was used to assess sleep disorders. *P = 0.03
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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