Abstract
Abstract Objectives: to determine the frequency and factors associated with severe / extreme signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in diabetic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted in April /May 2020, which included 162 individuals with diabetes mellitus and over 18 years old. An online questionnaire was applied on social networks, composed of biological, sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Scale (DASS-21). For statistical analysis, a multivariate logistic regression model was applied with a 5% significance level. Results: frequency of 37.7%, 43.3% and 45.1% were found for some symptom of stress, anxiety and depression, respectively. The factors associated with sign and symptoms of severe / extreme psychic disorders were: not having religion (stress, anxiety and depression); be at graduation (stress and anxiety); history of anxiety and depression (anxiety and depression); not practicing or decreasing physical exercises and starting, increased or continue taking sleeping medications (stress); history of contact with a suspected case of COVID-19, absence or decreased leisure (anxiety); female gender, absence of a partner, decreased family income and work or study (depression). Conclusion: the frequency of psychological disorders was higher than described in the literature on diabetic patients, being associated with biological, sociodemographic, clinical factors and aspects related to COVID-19 during the pandemic
Highlights
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from pathogenic mechanisms ranging from complex genetic interactions to environmental factors and lifestyle habits, with central pathophysiological basis changes in pancreatic beta cells and insulin hormone functionality.[1]
Despite this and the existence of appropriate screening tests, more than half of the diabetics are not diagnosed for psychic symptomatology and do not receive adequate treatment, which contributes to worsening glycemic control.[4]
180 responses were obtained from patients with diabetes mellitus, of which 10 were excluded because they were doubled and eight by the participants that were
Summary
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from pathogenic mechanisms ranging from complex genetic interactions to environmental factors and lifestyle habits, with central pathophysiological basis changes in pancreatic beta cells and insulin hormone functionality.[1]. Economic loss and stressful routine are frequent situations in patients with chronic diseases, such as DM and hypertension, which are commonly associated with the onset of mental disorders.[4] The relation between diabetes and psychiatric illnesses has been widely addressed,[3,5] it is believed that continuous care and diseases result from diabetes, such as routine monitoring of the blood glucose levels, daily insulin injections, diets and hospitalizations, contribute to emotional instability and the onset of psychopathologies.[3]. Studies show that depressive disorders in diabetics correspond to twice the prevalence in nondiabetics, and that there is an average risk of 48% of diabetic patients developing anxiety, suggesting the existence of a bidirectional relationship between these diseases.[5,6] Despite this and the existence of appropriate screening tests, more than half of the diabetics are not diagnosed for psychic symptomatology and do not receive adequate treatment, which contributes to worsening glycemic control.[4]
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