[Anxiety and depression among medical students during COVID-19 pandemic].

BACKGROUND Medical students are especially prone to anxiety and depression. AIM To characterize the presence of anxiety and depression and their association with gender and academic year among medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS Standardized electronic surveys about anxiety and depression symptoms were sent to 498 medical students with a response rate of 78%. RESULTS We analyzed 359 surveys. A mean of 11.4 points out of 27 was observed in the depression symptoms scale. Also, 23 and 10% of respondents had moderately severe or symptoms of depression, respectively. A mean of 8.9 out of 21 points in the anxiety symptoms scale was observed. Moderate or severe anxiety symptoms were present in 26 and 15% of respondents, respectively. Women and preclinical students had higher depression and anxiety scores. CONCLUSIONS A high presence of anxiety and depression symptoms was characterized among medical students during the pandemic. Preclinical students and women had higher scores in both scales.