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Assessment of mental health disorders in individuals with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

By
Danijela Radulović ,
Danijela Radulović
Contact Danijela Radulović

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Foca , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Srdjan Mašić ,
Srdjan Mašić

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dejan Bokonjić ,
Dejan Bokonjić

Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Svetlana Radević ,
Svetlana Radević

Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia

Ivana Simić Vukomanović ,
Ivana Simić Vukomanović

Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac , Kragujevac , Serbia

Biljana Mijović ,
Biljana Mijović

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Maja Vuković ,
Maja Vuković

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Milena Dubravac Tanasković ,
Milena Dubravac Tanasković

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mirka Jojić ,
Mirka Jojić

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jelena Vladičić Mašić ,
Jelena Vladičić Mašić

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dragan Spaić
Dragan Spaić

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Foca, University of East Sarajevo , Lukavica , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Editor: Adrijan Sarajlija

Abstract

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of individuals with chronic diseases. Contributing factors include limited access to healthcare during lockdowns, fear of infection, and heightened stress due to poorer outcomes of COVID-19 infection in this population. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of depression, anxiety, and stress in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with pre-ex
isting cardiovascular, malignant, chronic respiratory diseases, or diabetes mellitus.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of the eastern region of Republic of Srpska during December 2021 and January 2022. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the DASS-21 scale, while data on comorbidities were collected through a questionnaire from an epidemiological population-genetic study conducted concurrently. 
Results. A total of 1,372 participants from the eastern region of Republic of Srpska were included in the study, consisting of 40.0% males and 60.0% females. Participants were aged 20 years and older, with an average age of 50.6 years. The study found that depression, anxiety, and stress were statistically significantly more prevalent among participants with pre-existing cardiovascular or chronic respiratory diseases compared to those without such conditions. Additionally, participants with a history of malignant diseases or diabetes mellitus were significantly more depressed and anxious than 
those without these conditions.
Conclusion. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of policies aimed at improving mental health and preventing mental disorders in individuals with comorbidities.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, D.R., D.B., S.R. and J.V.M.; Investigation, D.R., M.V., M.D.T., M.J. and D.S.; Writing – original draft, D.R.; Formal Analysis, S.M.; Methodology, S.M.; Software, S.M.; Project administration, D.B. and J.V.M.; Resources, D.B.; Supervision, D.B., S.R., I.S.V., B.M. and J.V.M.; Writing – review & editing, S.R. and I.S.V.; Visualization, I.S.V. and B.M.; Data curation, B.M., M.V., M.D.T., M.J. and D.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Citation

Authors retain copyright. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License

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