Multicenter Validation of the Emotional State Instrument for Dialysis Patients

A qualitative examination of the mental health impact of Covid-19 in marginalized communities in Guatemala: The Covid Care Calls survey

BACKGROUND

The mental health impact of Covid-19 from the perspective of individuals experiencing psychological distress during lockdown period in marginalized, high-risk communities remains underinvestigated.

AIMS

This study aims to identify key factors related to psychological distress resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic across highly vulnerable districts in Guatemala.

METHODS

The Covid Care Calls (CCC) survey was administered to households in 11 districts in Guatemala to gather information about medical, mental health, and psychosocial status during the lockdown period; provide referral for care; and disseminate information on evidence-based protective measures to stem the spread of the virus. The 330 individuals participated the survey. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze survey data.

RESULTS

Most commonly reported mental health issues since the start of the pandemic were anxiety (46%), stress (36%), and exacerbation of pre-Covid-19 mental health conditions (19%). Depression and burnout were equally reported by 12% of participants. Only 2% reported issues with safety in the home. Concerns about catching the virus and economic worries were the most commonly reported sources of psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study indicate a high prevalence of anxiety, stress, and increased prior mental health symptoms resulting from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in low-income, high-risk communities across Guatemala. Efforts focused on enhancing coping strategies as well as psychoeducation to address stigma and increase help-seeking for depression are particularly important.

Evolution of Posttraumatic Symptoms and Related Factors in Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to (1) evaluate the evolution of mental health (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSSs], depression, and burnout) of healthcare workers during the second wave of the pandemic (November to December 2020) and compare it with the first wave (March to May 2020), and (2) ascertain the predictors of PTSSs.

METHODS

In March to May 2020 (T1), 269 healthcare professionals working in Spain completed PTSSs, sadness, resilience, and coping questionnaires. In November to December 2020 (T2, N = 58), we assessed PTSSs, sadness, burnout, and depression.

RESULTS

Among the healthcare professionals, 63.8% displayed severe PTSSs, 51.7% depressive symptoms, and 79.3% emotional exhaustion (T2). Some risk factors were caring for patients who were severely ill or dying and using rumination, thinking avoidance, self-isolation, emotional expression, and self-blaming as coping strategies.

CONCLUSIONS

The pandemic has had a deep and long-lasting impact on the healthcare workers' mental health.

Influence of Depression and Anxiety on Hemodialysis Patients: The Value of Multidisciplinary Care

Affective disorders promote poorer outcomes in hemodialysis patients. According to the presence or not of depression/anxiety in these patients, aims were to analyze differences in sociodemographic, clinical and/or psychological factors and to identify predictors. One hundred eighty-six hemodialysis patients were classified based on their depression/anxiety status. Basal characteristics showed differences between groups where mainly male sex (Depression: OR 0.2; Anxiety: OR 0.3) albumin (Depression: OR 0.1; Anxiety: OR 0.2) and calcium levels (Depression: OR 0.5; Anxiety: OR 0.4), impaired quality of life (Depression: OR 1.4; Anxiety: OR 1.2) and psychological inflexibility (Depression: OR 1.3; Anxiety: OR 1.2) were associated (all p < 0.01) to these mental conditions. Multivariate models showed that worse quality of life (OR 1.3; p < 0.001) predicted depression while marital status (with a partner; OR 0.3; p = 0.025) and albumin levels (OR 0.1; p = 0.027) were protective factors. Depression represented a risk factor for anxiety (OR 1.2; p = 0.001), although calcium levels (OR 0.5; p = 0.039) would protect this state. Interestingly, psychological inflexibility predicted both disorders (Depression: OR 1.2, p < 0.001 and Anxiety: OR 1.1; p = 0.002). Results highlight the relevance of well-trained multidisciplinary hemodialysis units to control the influence of these factors on the presence of depression/anxiety, and thus, their impact on the patients' outcomes.

Working in the Times of COVID-19. Psychological Impact of the Pandemic in Frontline Workers in Spain

This study evaluates the psychological impact (PI) of the COVID-19 pandemic in frontline workers in Spain. Participants were 546 workers (296 healthcare workers, 105 media professionals, 89 grocery workers, and 83 protective service workers). They all completed online questionnaires assessing PI, sadness, concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and demographic and work-related variables. All groups but protective services workers showed higher PI levels than the general population. Healthcare and grocery workers were the most affected, with 73.6% and 65.2% of the participants, respectively, showing a severe PI. Women showed a higher PI level. Healthcare workers in the regions with higher COVID-19 incidences reported greater PI levels. The main concerns were being infected by COVID-19 or infecting others. Levels of concern correlated with higher PI levels. The protection equipment was generally reported as insufficient, which correlated with higher PI levels. Professionals reporting to overwork during the crisis (60% mass-media, 38% of healthcare and grocery and 21.7% of protective service) showed higher PI levels. In the healthcare group, taking care of patients with COVID-19 (77%) or of dying patients with COVID-19 (43.9%) was associated with higher PI levels. The perceived social recognition of their work was inversely related to PI. Most of the sample had not received psychological support. We suggest some organizational measures for frontline institutions, such as the periodical monitoring or inclusion of psychologists specialized in crisis-management to prevent negative symptoms and provide timely support.