Family Functionality and Its Relationship with Depression and Anxiety in Recovered COVID-19 Patients in a Primary Care Center of Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract

Background: In the coronavirus infection, it is important to consider the neuropsychiatric implications; preliminary studies of this new pandemic suggest that patients with COVID-19 may experience depression and anxiety. In that way, family functionality is a determining factor in health preservation of patients with mental disorders and COVID-19. Objective: To determine the family functionality and its relationship with depression and anxiety in recovered COVID-19 patients in a primary care center of Tijuana, Mexico. Methods: A review of clinical records of patients with COVID-19 was carried out at the Family Medicine Unit #27 in Tijuana, Mexico, from July to December 2020. A descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to know the frequency of depression, anxiety and family functionality in recovered COVID-19 patients. Symptoms of depression were assessed with the Trait Depression Inventory – IDERE. Anxiety was measurement with Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory. Family functionality was determined with family APGAR. Quantitative variables were described as median and interquartile range (IQR), and qualitative variables were expressed as frequency and percentage. The assumption of normality was made by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The Chisquared test was used to analyze differences in categorical variables, and the Odds ratio was used to calculate risk. Results: 560 patients were studied, of which 179 met the selection criteria and 151 entered the study. 54.31% of patients have moderate to severe symptoms of depression, 80.13% moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and 18.54% alteration in family functionality. Conclusions: COVID-19 is a public health problem that affects multiple dimensions with significant repercussions. It is necessary to apply an early biopsychosocial approach to treat these alterations and avoid their chronicity in order to improve quality life of these patients.