Psychological problems among patients with chronic medical disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic

To investigate the rates of stress, anxiety, and depression among people in south Iran.

We surveyed a sample of people during September, 2020: a group of the general population without a history of any chronic medical problems, patients with epilepsy, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), and patients with cardiac problems. The survey included four general questions and two COVID-19 specific questions [contracting COVID-19, relatives with COVID-19]. Furthermore, the survey included the DASS (Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale)-21 questionnaire.

487 people were surveyed (154 patients with epilepsy, 127 patients with DM, 98 patients with cardiac problems, and 108 healthy individuals). Among people without a history of chronic medical illnesses, 14% had psychological problems. The highest rates of depression and anxiety were observed among patients with DM (52% and 57%, respectively) and the highest rate of increased stress was observed among patients with cardiac problems (40%). Existence underlying medical problems was significantly associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress.

While many patients with underlying chronic medical conditions, including epilepsy, suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot establish a cause and effect relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and increased psychological problems among these patients.