Aumento de depressão na pandemia de COVID-19 e piora dos sintomas depressivos associados à inatividade física: um estudo de coorte

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, its consequences on the manifestation of depressive symptoms in adult and older adults and determine the association between physical exercise and depressive symptoms. To this end, a cohort study was carried out in which 785 individuals were evaluated (72.5% female) were evaluated at two different moments. The first between 2018 and 2019, and the second during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020). Depressive symptoms, demographic and socioeconomic data were evaluated. Depressive symptoms were estimated with the Beck Depression Inventory. Frequency analysis and multinomial regression were performed. According to the results found, the prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 17.3% to 43.4% compared to the pre-pandemic period. Individuals who did not exercise were more likely to present moderate (OR= 7.24, p<0,001) and severe (OR= 13.36, p<0,001) depressive symptoms than those physically active. When adjusted for gender and age, the values for depressive symptoms at moderate and severe levels among non-exercisers were OR=7.27 (p<0.001) and OR=14.02 (p<0.001), respectively. Older adults showed a higher increase in the prevalence of moderate depression compared to adults (p<0,001) during the pandemic. Thus, it is possible to conclude that the during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of depressive symptoms increased, and individuals who were not exercising had a higher chance of moderate and severe depressive symptoms.