SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant; psychological effect and influencing factors in elderly patients

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant appeared in South Africa for the first time. The high prevalence of its mortality in elderly patients has caused an increase in anxiety triggered by this disease in aged people. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the anxiety related-COVID-19 in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its related factors in elderly patients who are candidates for cataract surgery. Patients and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 159 over 65 years old patients who are candidates for cataract surgery. Easy and accessible sampling methods were employed to select samples. Demographic characteristics sheet and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) questionnaire were filled out by them. Fisher’s exact test, Mann-Whitney U and binary logistic regression tests were conducted for data analysis. Results: The results showed that out of 159 patients, 57.9% were female, with a mean age of 73.09 ± 9.64 years. The anxiety level of 70.4% of patients was mild or non-anxiety and 29.6% was moderate or severe. The correlation between anxiety related to COVID-19 with age, gender, vaccination status and history of being infected by COVID-19 was significant (P<0.05); however, the correlation with the job, place of residence and marital status were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that older age, female gender, non-vaccinated and having no history of being infected by COVID-19 are the most influential factors that increase anxiety triggered by COVID-19 in elderly patients.