Predictors of anxiety and depression in general surgeons and clinicians attending hospital urgencies and emergencies

Abstract

We assess the risk factors and the prevalence of anxiety and depression in 75 physicians, who provided care in the area of emergency and hospital emergency in our service. Method: Exploratory and observational research at the beginning of the COVID pandemic in a city in southern Brazil, using sociodemographic questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The prevalence of anxiety in general surgeons was 36.5%, for depression was 23.1%. In clinicians, were 30.4% and 21.7% (respectively) in anxiety, the variables: marital status, sleep duration, and time of graduation were significantly associated? For depression were age, marital status, number of children, time of graduation, and having taken Advanced Cardiologic Life Support course. Overweight and sleep duration were significant risk factors for anxiety, in multivariate analysis, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 5.16 and 5.81 (respectively). For depression, only the time of graduation less than ten years was significant (OR 21.8). Conclusions: General surgeons presented a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression than clinicians. The overweight and sleeping time were associated with a higher anxiety prevalence, while training time was associated with a higher depression prevalence. Differences between medical specialties in-hospital care incite a concern regarding the mental health of these professionals.