The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported health

Item Type:	Editorial
Title:	The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-reported health
Creators Name:	Peters, A. and Rospleszcz, S. and Greiser, K.H. and Dallavalle, M. and Karch, A. and Mikolajczyk, R. and Krause, G. and Castell, S. and Nieters, A. and Kraft, D. and Wolff, R. and Stübs, G. and Lang, O. and Panreck, L. and Rietschel, M. and Rujescu, D. and Dragano, N. and Schmidt, B. and Becher, H. and Brenner, H. and Damms-Machado, A. and Fischer, B. and Franzke, C.W. and Gastell, S. and Günther, K. and Hermes, A. and Holleczek, B. and Jaeschke, L. and Jöckel, K.H. and Kaaks, R. and Keil, T. and Kemmling, Y. and Kluttig, A. and Kuß, O. and Legath, N. and Leitzmann, M. and Lieb, W. and Loeffler, M. and Meinke-Franze, C. and Michels, K.B. and Obi, N. and Pischon, T. and Schikowski, T. and Schulze, M.B. and Stang, A. and Thierry, S. and Völzke, H. and Willlich, S.N. and Wirkner, K. and Wolf, K. and Zeeb, H. and Berger, K.
Abstract:	BACKGROUND: The pandemic caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the countermeasures taken to protect the public are having a substantial effect on the health of the population. In Germany, nationwide protective measures to halt the spread of the virus were implemented in mid-March for 6 weeks. METHODS: In May, the impact of the pandemic was assessed in the German National Cohort (NAKO). A total of 113 928 men and women aged 20 to 74 years at the time of the baseline examination conducted 1 to 5 years earlier (53%) answered, within a 30-day period, a follow-up questionnaire on SARS-CoV-2 test status, COVID-19-associated symptoms, and self-perceived health status. RESULTS: The self-reported SARS-CoV-2 test frequency among the probands was 4.6%, and 344 participants (0.3%) reported a positive test result. Depressive and anxiety-related symptoms increased relative to baseline only in participants under 60 years of age, particularly in young women. The rate of moderate to severe depressive symptoms increased from 6.4% to 8.8%. Perceived stress increased in all age groups and both sexes, especially in the young. The scores for mental state and self-rated health worsened in participants tested for SARS-CoV-2 compared with those who were not tested. In 32% of the participants, however, self-rated health improved. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic and the protective measures during the first wave had effects on mental health and on self-rated general health.
Keywords:	Anxiety, COVID-19, Depression, Germany, Health Status, Mental Health, Pandemics, Psychological Stress, Self Report
Source:	Deutsches Aerzteblatt International
ISSN:	1866-0452
Publisher:	Deutscher Ärzte-Verlag
Volume:	117
Page Range:	861-867
Date:	11 December 2020
Additional Information:	Copyright © Deutscher Ärzteverlag GmbH
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2020.0861
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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