COVID-19 and anxiety in ophtalmologists

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of anxiety in ophthalmologists during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) working in respiratory triage and outpatient ophthalmology consultation at the Hospital Central Militar in Mexico City. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prospective study, in which a descriptive survey was applied via internet evaluating two anxiety scales (Hamilton scale and generalized anxiety disorder [GAD-7) scale). Results: Thirty-one subjects responded, 17 (54.84%) female and 14 (45.16%) male. Minimum age was 25 years and maximum age was 49 years, with an average age of 34.5 years.The survey consisted of 24 questions, of which 21 were obtained from both anxiety scales (Hamilton + GAD-7) and the remaining three were of epidemiological interest. By rating both scales separately, we observed an average score of 5.16 for the GAD-7 scale and of 8.45 for the Hamilton scale, reflecting a minimal group anxiety. Using the GAD-7 scale, we observed an anxiety prevalence of 48% (15 physicians). Of the diagnosed cases, 9 (60%) met a score listed as mild anxiety, 5 (53%) as moderate and 1 (7%) as severe. On the Hamilton scale, the prevalence was of 83% (26 physicians). Of the diagnosed cases, 23 (88%) had minimal anxiety, 2 (8%) had minimal-moderate anxiety and 1 (4%) had severe anxiety. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety in ophthalmologists, using the GAD-7 and Hamilton scales was of 48% and 83%, respectively, and most cases were of mild intensity.