COVID-19 pandemic impact on mental health in a large representative sample of older adults from the Lombardy region, Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, hopelessness and insomnia in the older adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic identifying subgroups at higher risk of mental distress.

Methods

Within the Lost in Lombardy project, a web-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 4400 older adults aged 65 years or more from the Lombardy region recruited between November 17th and 30th 2020.

Results

The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased by +112 % during the pandemic, anxiety symptoms by +136 %, insufficient sleep by +12 %, unsatisfactory sleep by +15 %. Feelings of hopelessness were more frequent among women compared to men and increased with increasing age. A worsening in each of the four speci

SUBMITTER: Amerio A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9824954 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature