Factors associated with the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in health workers of two centres of reference for COVID 19 patient care in Antioquia, Colombia – A latent class analysis

Abstract

Objective

To classify the staff of two reference institutions for COVID-19 care in Antioquia according to the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms, and to determine the factors associated with these classes.

Methods

Cross-sectional study in which the GAD-7, PHQ-9, fear of COVID-19, and the Copenhagen Burnout scale were used. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the classes, and the factors associated with these were determined using multinomial logistic regression.

Results

486 people participated. The three-class model had the best fit: class I with low scores on the scales; class II with mild degrees of anxiety and depression, and intermediate levels of fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress; and class III with moderate and severe degrees of anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The factors associated with belonging to class III were age (OR = 0.94; 95%CI, 0.91−0.96), change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 4.01; 95%CI, 1.99–8.09), and a history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.10; 95%CI, 1.27–7.56), and anxiety (OR = 5.5; 95%CI, 2.36–12.90). Factors associated with class II were age (OR = 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95−0.99), history of depressive disorder (OR = 3.41; 95%CI, 1.60−7.25), living with someone at risk of death from COVID-19 (OR = 1.86; 95%CI, 1.19−2.91), family member being healthcare staff (OR = 1.58; 95%CI, 1.01−2.47), and change of residence to avoid exposing relatives (OR = 1.99; 95%CI, 1.11−3.59).

Conclusions

Three classes of participants were obtained, two of them with anxiety and depression symptoms. Younger age and a history of mental disorder were factors associated with the two classes of symptomatic patients; other factors may be causes or consequences of the symptoms.

Resumen

Objetivo

Clasificar al personal de 2 instituciones de referencia para la atención de la COVID-19 en Antioquia según la intensidad de los síntomas ansiosos y depresivos y determinar los factores asociados con estas clases.

Métodos

Estudio de corte transversal en el que se usaron las escalas GAD-7, PHQ-9, miedo a la COVID-19 y escala Burnout de Copenhague. Se hizo análisis de clases latentes para identificar las clases y se determinaron los factores asociados mediante regresión logística multinomial.

Resultados

Participaron 486 personas. El modelo con mejor ajuste fue el de 3 clases. La I, con puntajes bajos en escalas; la II, con grados leves de ansiedad y depresión, e intermedios de miedo a la COVID-19 y estrés percibido; y la III, con grados moderados y graves de ansiedad, depresión y estrés percibido. Los factores asociados con pertenecer a la clase III fueron: edad (OR = 0,94; IC95%, 0,91–0,96), cambio de vivienda para no exponer a familiares (OR = 4,01; IC95%, 1,99–8,09), y antecedente de trastorno depresivo (OR = 3,10; IC95%, 1,27–7,56) y ansioso (OR = 5,5; IC95%, 2,36–12,90). Los factores asociados con la clase II fueron: edad (OR = 0,97; IC95%, 0,95–0,99), antecedente de trastorno depresivo (OR = 3,41; IC95%, 1,60–7,25), convivir con alguien con riesgo de muerte por COVID-19 (OR = 1,86; IC95%, 1,19–2,91), familiar personal de salud (OR = 1,58; IC95%, 1,01–2,47) y cambio de vivienda para no exponer a familiares (OR = 1,99; IC95%, 1,11–3,59).

Conclusiones

Se obtuvieron 3 clases de participantes, 2 de ellas con síntomas ansiosos y depresivos. La menor edad y el antecedente de un trastorno mental fueron factores asociados con las 2 clases de pacientes sintomáticos; otros factores pueden ser causa o consecuencia de los síntomas.