Predictors of major depression and generation of a screening score in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: subanalysis of the survey ImPPaCTS-SAC.20

Abstract

Background and Objectives: to describe predictors of depression in health workers in Argentina during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to generate a score for their screening. Methods: Subanalysis of the Argentine ImPPaCTS-SAC.20 Survey, including health workers with major depression according to PHQ 9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9). Predictors were evaluated by multivariate analysis; a new score was constructed in the referral cohort and its cut-off point was determined. whose quality was evaluated in the total cohort and in the validation cohort. Results: 270 workers (22.1%) had major depression. Predictors of major depression were female gender (p = 0.002), feeling discriminated against (p = 0.001), use of anxiolytics (p = 0.001) and smoking (p = 0.025). A score was prepared with these variables (female gender 2 points, feeling discriminated against 1.5 points, use of anxiolytics 2.5 points and smoking 3 points), with an area under the curve of 0.65 and a cut-off point of 2. In the validation cohort the area under the curve was 0.66. Compared with PHQ 9, the negative predictive value was 84%. Conclusions: Health workers in Argentina had a high prevalence of major depression during the pandemic, associated with predictive factors. A test was developed to detect those who are at low risk for it.