Anxiety and depression among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Medical students are especially prone to anxiety and depression. Aim: To characterize the presence of anxiety and depression and their association with gender and academic year among medical students. Material and Methods: Standardized electronic surveys about anxiety and depression symptoms were sent to 498 medical students with a response rate of 78%. Results: We analyzed 359 surveys. A mean of 11.4 points out of 27 was observed in the depression symptoms scale. Also, 23 and 10% of respondents had moderately severe or symptoms of depression, respectively. A mean of 8.9 out of 21 points in the anxiety symptoms scale was observed. Moderate or severe anxiety symptoms were present in 26 and 15% of respondents, respectively. Women and preclinical students had higher depression and anxiety scores. Conclusions: A high presence of anxiety and depression symptoms was characterized among medical students during the pandemic. Preclinical students and women had higher scores in both scales.