IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON ANXIOUS SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN A SAMPLE OF THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION

Abstract

Background: The preventive measure of social isolation during pandemics has been associated with different psychopathological manifestations, especially those related to anxiety disorders. Aims: To assess the prevalence of anxiety in a Brazilian population sample. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, approved by CEP / UNIFESO, CAAE No. 38114020.1.0000.5247, that obtained the voluntary participation of 801 research subjects. The data have been extracted from an online questionnaire which was available for 15 days, from October 2, 2020. Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale was used to characterize anxiety symptoms (GAD-7). Results: Of the total people interviewed, 13.7% showed minimal or absent symptoms associated with anxiety; 34.9% mild symptoms; 21.7% moderate symptoms; and 30.1% severe symptoms. The groups with symptoms indicative of anxiety disorder (score ≥ 10) were composed of 413 individuals (51.5% of the total sample), mostly female (91.5%) and with an average age of 27.8 years old. In the analysis of logistic regression, male gender, student status and previous history of anxiety disorder were found to be risk factors for anxiety. Conclusions: The high prevalence of anxiety symptoms observed is worrying, considering that a part of these individuals may evolve a chronic condition, aggravating the burden of patients with mental disorders in the future.