Maryam Saki1, Maryam Shadmanpour2, Hooman Zarif Najafi2. 1. Health System Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. 2. Orthodontic Research Center, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is of utmost importance to identify and treat groups susceptible to psychological problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the psychological status between the general population and subjects with orofacial pain (OFP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 509 young adults were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the convenient sampling approach. They were assigned to 2 study groups: group 1 - individuals with OFP; and group 2 - the general population. Their background variables, knowledge, perception, attitude, concerns, and Kessler scale scores were recorded through an online questionnaire. Student's t test, the χ2 test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Some of the background variables were significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge, perception and attitude scores of the respondents were not significantly different between the study groups (p > 0.05). Females exhibited significantly higher adjusted Kessler scores as compared to males (p < 0.05). Group 1 exhibited the highest adjusted Kessler scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with OFP exhibited higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety during the rapid rise of the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a moderate psychological disorder. Females suffered more from psychological distress as compared to males. Therefore, psychological interventions should be focused on this group.
BACKGROUND: It is of utmost importance to identify and treat groups susceptible to psychological problems during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the psychological status between the general population and subjects with orofacial pain (OFP) during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 509 young adults were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, using the convenient sampling approach. They were assigned to 2 study groups: group 1 - individuals with OFP; and group 2 - the general population. Their background variables, knowledge, perception, attitude, concerns, and Kessler scale scores were recorded through an online questionnaire. Student's t test, the χ2 test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Some of the background variables were significantly different between the study groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge, perception and attitude scores of the respondents were not significantly different between the study groups (p > 0.05). Females exhibited significantly higher adjusted Kessler scores as compared to males (p < 0.05). Group 1 exhibited the highest adjusted Kessler scores (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with OFP exhibited higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety during the rapid rise of the COVID-19 outbreak, representing a moderate psychological disorder. Females suffered more from psychological distress as compared to males. Therefore, psychological interventions should be focused on this group.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Kessler scale (K10); orofacial pain; psychological status