Introduction The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is posing unprecedented care scenarios, increasing the psychological distress among healthcare workers while reducing the efficiency of health systems. This work evaluated the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish frontline healthcare workers of two tertiary hospitals. Material and methods Healthcare workers were recruited from the medical units designated for the care of Covid-19 patients. The psychological assessment consisted of an individual, face-to-face session where gold-standard psychometric tests were administered to assess stress (VASS & PSS-10), anxiety (STAI), depression (PHQ-2) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5). Regression models were also fitted to identify predictors of psychological distress. Results Overall, almost 13% of healthcare workers showed severe anxiety, while more than 26% had high levels of perceived stress. More than 23% presented severe posttraumatic stress symptoms, and another 13% had PHQ-2 scores equal to or above 3, compatible with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnosis, respectively. Women, stress-related medication, overworking, performing in Covid-19 wards, and substance abuse were risk factors for increased psychological distress. Instead, practising exercise reduced the burden. Conclusion This study outlines the severe psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Spanish frontline healthcare workers. The stress, depression and anxiety levels found were similar to those reported in similar works but much higher than in Wuhan healthcare workers. Knowledge of risk factors for increased psychological distress may help to develop comprehensive intervention strategies to prevent, control and reduce the mental health exacerbation of healthcare workers, thereby maintaining the effectiveness of health systems in critical scenarios.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with a significant comorbidity with depressive disorders. Prevalence rates for major depressive disorder (MDD) range from 36 % to 54 % and the rate is around 22 % for adjustment disorders. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are considered well-tolerated first-line treatment. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are generally reserved for second-line use after SSRIs, because of sedating or anticholinergic side effects. SNRIs, with the exception of duloxetine, and combinations of newer antidepressants have failed to treat depression due to their side effects profile and frequent interaction with other drugs. Among SSRIs, sertraline is usually the first option, starting at 25 mg/day and increasing to 50 mg/day; and waiting a few weeks to assess drug effects before increasing the dose. The maximum is generally 200 mg/day in a single dose. Paroxetine is the second choice, starting at 10 mg/day for the first 5 days, and then at 20 mg/day thereafter. The maximum dose is about 50 mg/day in a single dose. Fluvoxamine is used at 100-200 mg/day, starting with 25 mg/day, and increasing 25 mg/day every 5 days until 200 mg/day is reached. We should take into account increasing blood level amounts of MS treatments (corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide) with fluvoxamine. With duloxetine, doses will be at 60-120 mg/day. The initial dose for depression is 40 mg/day in two doses; it can increase to 60 mg/day in one to two doses if necessary. The maximum dose is generally 120 mg/day. Duloxetine may increase liver problems through interaction with these MS treatments: teriflunomide, interferon beta-1a, and interferon beta-1b. Considering psychotherapy, only cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness-based interventions have shown efficacy in improving depression disorders in MS. A comprehensive treatment for depression should include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.

Antecedentes y objetivo. La pandemia Covid-19 sigue desafiando a los sistemas sanitarios, exponiendo al personal asistencial a estresores físicos y psicológicos. Actualmente, varios estudios han demostrado el impacto catastrófico en la salud mental del personal asistencial durante la primera etapa de la pandemia, pero pocos han considerado el seguimiento de los síntomas. El presente estudio examina el efecto de la pandemia en la salud mental del personal sanitario de primera línea a los seis meses de seguimiento. Material y métodos. Se evaluó psicológicamente a 141 trabajadores sanitarios de primera línea de dos hospitales terciarios al inicio del estudio (julio a noviembre, 2020) y a los seis meses (enero a mayo, 2021) mediante pruebas psicométricas para el estrés agudo (VASS, PSS-10, PCL-5), la ansiedad (STAI) y la depresión (PHQ-2). Resultados. En general, se observó un empeoramiento de la salud mental entre las dos evaluaciones psicológicas, especialmente en depresión y predisposición a percibir las situaciones como una amenaza. La salud mental del personal de enfermería empeoró con el tiempo, mientras que los médicos mejoraron. La reducción de la jornada laboral y el aumento del ejercicio físico mejoraron la salud mental. Las mujeres y el personal de enfermería fueron los más afectados por el malestar psicológico al inicio y a los seis meses de seguimiento. Conclusión. Jornadas laborales reducidas, periodos de descanso adecuados, ejercicio físico y estrategias de intervención eficientes son de suma importancia para prevenir, controlar y reducir el malestar psicológico entre el personal sanitario ante escenarios críticos como la pandemia actual.