TY - JOUR

T1 - Stress reactions in a tertiary oto-rhino-laryngological department during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Danish Capital region

AU - Brejnebøl, Maiken Wissing

AU - Walvik, Lena

AU - Christensen, Anders Korsgaard

AU - Jensen, Ramon Gordon

AU - von Buchwald, Christian

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Acta Oto-Laryngologica AB (Ltd).

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Background: Health care workers (HCW) at otorhinolaryngological departments have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, due to aerosol-inducing diagnostic and surgical procedures in the airways. The ongoing exposure to physical and psychological stressors could impact the mental health of HCW. Aim/objective: To investigate the impact on mental health in an otorhinolaryngological department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials/method: Cross-sectional questionnaire study, assessing symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-10). Physicians, nurses, and secretaries were included at a tertiary department of otorhinolaryngology in the Capital Region of Denmark during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020. Results: Positive screenings for stress reactions were found in 22% for depressive symptoms and 15.5% anxiety. 27% feared becoming infected, 47% feared infecting their families in relation to work. 27% felt others were distancing from them, and 38% isolated themselves from others because of their work. Women had an odds ratio of 9.18 (CI 1.49–179) for depressive stress reactions. Conclusion: HCW were primarily concerned with transmitting COVID-19 to their relatives. Secondarily, there was a concern about becoming infected despite feeling adequately protected by personal protective equipment. Women were at higher risk of more severe depressive symptoms when corrected for professions.

AB - Background: Health care workers (HCW) at otorhinolaryngological departments have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19, due to aerosol-inducing diagnostic and surgical procedures in the airways. The ongoing exposure to physical and psychological stressors could impact the mental health of HCW. Aim/objective: To investigate the impact on mental health in an otorhinolaryngological department during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials/method: Cross-sectional questionnaire study, assessing symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-10). Physicians, nurses, and secretaries were included at a tertiary department of otorhinolaryngology in the Capital Region of Denmark during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020. Results: Positive screenings for stress reactions were found in 22% for depressive symptoms and 15.5% anxiety. 27% feared becoming infected, 47% feared infecting their families in relation to work. 27% felt others were distancing from them, and 38% isolated themselves from others because of their work. Women had an odds ratio of 9.18 (CI 1.49–179) for depressive stress reactions. Conclusion: HCW were primarily concerned with transmitting COVID-19 to their relatives. Secondarily, there was a concern about becoming infected despite feeling adequately protected by personal protective equipment. Women were at higher risk of more severe depressive symptoms when corrected for professions.

KW - anxiety

KW - COVID-19

KW - depression

KW - health care worker

KW - mental health

KW - pandemic

U2 - 10.1080/00016489.2021.1947525

DO - 10.1080/00016489.2021.1947525

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34340651

AN - SCOPUS:85111807661

VL - 141

SP - 791

EP - 795

JO - Acta Oto-Laryngologica

JF - Acta Oto-Laryngologica

SN - 0001-6489

IS - 8

ER -