Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported anxiety in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Spain: A cross-sectional Ibero-American study

The global, regional, and national burden and trends of anxiety disorders among women of childbearing age from 1990 to 2021: Estimates from the global burden of disease study 2021

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders are prevalent, early-onset mental illnesses that have a major negative impact on society and the economy globally. Comprehensive research on the global prevalence and evolving patterns of anxiety disorders in women of childbearing age (WCBA) is lacking.

METHODS

We computed estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) to evaluate trends in the incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) rates of anxiety disorders using the three primary WCBA indicators for anxiety disorders: prevalence, incidence, and DALYs, which were taken from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database from 1990 to 2021.

RESULTS

The number of prevalent cases increased from 120.2 million in 1990 to 224.8 million in 2021. The number of new cases increased from 17.406 million in 1990 to 30.730 million in 2021. Anxiety disorders is more prevalent in women, particularly those of reproductive age (15-49 years). Over the past 32 years, the global changes of Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and Age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) were relatively stable. The results of differential smoothing and ARR model fitting showed that the long term risks showed a fluctuating downward trend in the long run, but showed a significant abnormal increase after 2020.

CONCLUSION

The relative increase in the incidence of anxiety disorders and DALYs in the WCBA over 32 years remains high. Our results can help different countries or regions in the world to develop more reasonable prevention and control measures for anxiety disorders, so as to reduce the serious economic and social burden caused by the disease.

Cheers to anxiety: Granger causality insights on alcohol consumption patterns across 13 South American countries

BACKGROUND

The relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health is complex; drinking may exacerbate anxiety, and in turn, anxiety can lead to excessive drinking. This study explores the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns including wine, beer, and spirits, and anxiety prevalence in selected 13 South American nations.

METHODS

This study utilises secondary data spanning 29 years from 1991 to 2019 obtained from the Our World in Data database. It investigates the causal link between the prevalence of anxiety and alcohol consumption in the selected countries using the Granger causality test.

RESULTS

Anxiety was found to have a unidirectional effect on wine and beer consumption in Chile, Suriname, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, drinking alcohol consumption appears to impact anxiety levels in Brazil. Argentina demonstrates a bidirectional relationship between anxiety and all three types of alcohol consumption, with similar patterns observed in Brazil (wine and beer), Chile (spirits), and Paraguay (spirits).

CONCLUSION

No significant causal relationships for alcohol consumption patterns were found in other nations. The identified Granger causal links follow four distinct directions in this study. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, governments, and international investors for informed decision-making regarding regulation and policy tools.

Correction: Prevalence and factors associated with self-reported anxiety in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Spain: A cross-sectional Ibero-American study

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280528.].

Excess suicides in Brazil during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic: Gender, regional and age group inequalities

BACKGROUND

While the COVID-19 pandemic's total impact on global mortality is uncertain, an estimated 15 million excess deaths occurred during the first two pandemic years, suggesting that a broad impact, since several causes of death showed a substantial rise.

AIMS

To estimate excess suicides in Brazil and evaluate differences within and between subgroups during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD

Based on suicide data from the mortality information system of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the expected number of suicides was estimated by age group, gender, 4-month periods and regions through quasi-Poisson generalized additive models. Analyses were performed in R software and RStudio.

RESULTS

Between March 2020 and February 2022, 29,295 suicides were reported in Brazil, close to what would be expected (30,116; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): [28,009, 32,224]), albeit in males and females aged 30 to 59 years and 60 years and over, there were excess suicides in at least one of the six 4-month periods evaluated, especially in the second pandemic year. In the Southeast region, a 28% increase was observed in women 60 years and older during the second year. In the North region, suicide increased 23% and 32% among women aged 30 to 59 years during the first and second pandemic years, respectively. The Northeast region had a 16% excess in suicides among men aged 30 to 59 years and 61% among women 60 years old and older during the second pandemic year, reaching 83% in July to October 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

During the first 2 pandemic years, the pattern of suicides was not homogeneous in Brazil. There were substantial excess suicides in women aged 30 to 59 years from the North and Northeast, while among the elderly and men there was a consistent pattern in several four-month periods throughout Brazil.