INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSIVE AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AMONG ELDERLY FILIPINOS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS- SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract Background The prevalence of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders has increased in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increased prevalence may also be reflected in the older population, as increasing age is associated with increased risk for developing major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders. The increased prevalence of these disorders during the pandemic is attributed to multiple stressors, including uncertainty, worries about health, and decreased social support, which are particularly stressful for the older population. However, there are knowledge gaps regarding the changes in the prevalence rates of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders in the older population during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the Philippines. Objectives The study aimed to determine the incidence rates of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders among elderly Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify differences in these rates based on age and gender. Method This was a cross-sectional study conducted in May to September 2020 using an online survey platform. Two hundred seventy Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic and who were at least 60 years of age, were recruited through social media online messaging platforms, via convenience and snowball sampling. The presence and severity of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders were determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7). The presence of differences between gender and age groups were examined using independent T-tests and analyses of variance. Ethical approval was secured prior to the conduct of the study. Results Majority of the participants scored below the cut-off points for depression (n=206, 76.3%) and anxiety (n=209, 77.4%). There were no significant differences in the incidence of major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders between genders. However, there were significant differences in both PHQ-9 and GAD-7 means between the oldest-old age group (80 years and above) and younger age groups (60-64 years, 65-69 years, and 70-74 years), with F(4,265) = 4.18, p =.003, η² = 0.06 for PHQ-9 means and F(4,265) = 3.52, p =.008, η² = 0.05 for GAD-7 means. Discussion and Conclusion Results revealed low PHQ-9 and GAD-7 means among the study population. However, 23.7% of the participants had scores that would fall under mild to severe depression, while 26.3% had scores that would fall under mild to severe anxiety. Although there is no available data regarding the prevalence of depression and anxiety among elderly Filipinos, these rates were noted to be higher in comparison with pre-pandemic rates from other countries. Participants who were 80 years old and above were noted to have significantly higher PHQ-9 and GAD-7 means, and this may be due to exacerbation of risk factors in this group during the pandemic. A significant limitation of the study was its selection bias due to the purely online nature of data gathering. Recommendations include extension and replication of the study, as well as the development of screening and preventive programs designed to address the mental health needs of Filipino elderly adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.