The spread of the pandemic in Colombian territory occurred heterogeneously, suggesting a potentially differential impact on the mental health of healthcare professionals who responded to the emergency.
To identify factors related to depressive and anxious symptoms in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic at a clinical center in the city of Barranquilla.
We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 71 active healthcare workers in 2022. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) were utilized to estimate the prevalence of these mental disorders.
We estimated a prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms, mild or higher, at 18.3% (CI95% 10.1–29.3) and 21.1% (CI95% 12.3–33.4), respectively. Work experience, glove usage, gastrointestinal discomfort, and appetite disturbance were significantly associated with depressive symptoms, while loss of libido and appetite disturbance were linked to mild or higher anxious symptoms.
Depressive and anxious symptoms are common in the mental health of healthcare workers in pandemic contexts. Factors associated with these symptoms, such as the use of personal protective equipment and work experience, could be addressed through organizational management.
Describe the therapeutic effects of medicinal plants in anxiety disorders.
Scoping review conducted by the guidelines (PRISMA-ScR). Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed were searched for original articles, clinical trials and case series that explained the effects of medicinal plants used as anxiolytic agents in English and without publication date restrictions.
A total of 735 records were initially identified. After eliminating duplicates and applying eligibility criteria, 11 studies were included that described the neurobiological actions of medicinal plants in relation to anxiety. The studies highlighted the benefit of plants by regulating neurotransmitters and various neurobiological systems, influencing the modulation of neuronal and neurochemical responses associated with the disorder.
Studies support the effectiveness of herbal therapy in reducing anxiety, but further research is required to validate its effectiveness, clinical safety, and potential drug interactions.
Cariprazine is a new generation antipsychotic whose mechanism of action is based on partial agonism of dopamine D2 and D3 receptors, in addition to serotonin 5HT1A receptors. Its use has been approved by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices for the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the available literature has demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of manic, mixed, and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder, all them approved indication in the United Sattes and several other countries. Likewise, there is currently evidence regarding the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of cariprazine as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder, which has granted this compound the approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While three clinical trials have shown negative results, two others have observed a significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms, which has also been confirmed in a long-term open-label trial. Despite presenting a favorable adverse effect profile compared to other antipsychotics, cariprazine has been associated with akathisia and restlessness. Based on current evidence, the use of cariprazine as an adjunctive treatment to antidepressants may be beneficial in major depressive disorder. Future studies may address its efficacy in monotherapy, and its role in the prevention of depressive recurrences.