[Evolution of anxiety and depression detected during hospitalization in an Internal Medicine service].
OBJECTIVE
To study the evolution of the symptoms of anxiety (Ax) and depression (Dp) two months after hospital release and factors associated with their persistence.


METHODS
An observational longitudinal study. Patients with Ax or Dp, evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale on the fourth day of hospitalisation, were followed over two months without the use of psychopharmacological drugs. Sociodemographic factors, psychiatric history, functional state, comorbidity and the HAD stage three weeks before admission were evaluated.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight patients with Ax (22 males) with a mean age of 62.2 years and 35 patients with Dp (22 males) with a mean age of 68.1 years were studied. Symptoms of Ax persisted in 23 patients (60.5%; CI95%: 43.4-76) and symptoms of Dp persisted in 18 (51.4%; CI95%: 34-68.6). Ax before admission and a lower educational level were associated with the persistence of Ax. An age of 70 or more, female gender and primary studies, Barthel Index on admission of < 100 and depression in the three weeks before admission were associated with persistence of Dp.


CONCLUSIONS
Symptoms persisted in over half of the patients. The evaluation of HAD before admission may help in determining the treatment course to be followed.
Grau
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Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital de Figueres, Figueres, Girona. a.grau@hospitaldefigueres.com
Comas
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Suñer
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Peláez
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Sala
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D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors