Relationship between mood disorders and functional decline in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, isolation and reduction in mobility have increased the rate of depression and anxiety. This paper reviews the incidence of mood disorders and functional decline in older adults during this period. Methods: We used the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Goldberg anxiety Scale, the Lawton and Brody, and Katz scales to draw our conclusions. Results: A total of 237 patients were clinically evaluated, being 163 women and 74 men. Of the 163 women in the study, 117 suffered from anxiety and 122 from depression. Also, 75 women out of the 163 included in the study, had COVID-19. Of the 74 men evaluated, 35 presented symptoms of anxiety and 27 of depression, the group age that presented the most anxiety were adults between 60 and 69 years old, and depression between 80 and 89 years old. Of these men, 22 had COVID-19. Conclusion: Confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased depression and anxiety levels in older adults, which in turn has had significant impact on their mental health.