Arterial hypertension exacerbation frequencies, depression and anxiety in the condition of war in Ukraine: some statistics and survey results

Abstract

Objective – to assess the level of anxiety and depression in the population before and during the war, the frequency of essential arterial hypertension (EAH) exacerbations and to establish changes in the life quality.Material and methods. 100 patients with EAH II stage participated in the study. All participants underwent a complex of clinical and laboratory examinations and determined the frequency of EAH exacerbations, crisis course, the Charlson comorbidity index, anxiety level (persistent personal and dynamic reactive according to the Spielberger method), the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS), life quality SF-36 compared to the pre-war period. 191 respondents filled out a Google questionnaire form that included tests for depression and anxiety, SF-36. Results. The war significantly affected the life quality of Ukrainians with EAH: both the physical and mental health of patients according to the SF-36 test (by 19.65% and 23.01%), as well as social activity (by 19.71%) worsened. The frequency of EAH exacerbations and crisis course against the background of military aggression increased 2.25 times (x2=14.25 p<0.001 and (x2=4.42; p=0.035), as well as the reactive and personal anxiety levels – by 13.37% (p=0.002) and 19.80% (p=0.042), respectively; 29% of respondents show symptoms of moderate, severe and very severe depression (PHQ-9); 37% had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7).Conclusion. The war in Ukraine affected the well-being of the general population: the frequency of persons with moderate and significant deterioration of health (according to SF-36) increased by 18%, as well as the number of those with symptoms of moderate and severe depression and anxiety disorders; the frequency of the EAH crisis course increased by 10%.