Lifestyle habits associated with elevated depressive symptoms among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

TL;DR

This study found that lifestyle changes during the pandemic, like reduced physical activity, were linked to higher depression symptoms in healthcare workers.

Contribution

The study identifies new lifestyle factors, such as low step counts and smoking, uniquely associated with depression during the pandemic.

Findings

The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 27.5% in 2019 to 32.5% in 2022.

Factors like smoking and fewer than 4,000 steps per day were linked to higher depression in 2022.

Lifestyle changes during the pandemic significantly impacted mental health among healthcare workers.

Abstract

This study sought to explore the relationship between lifestyle changes among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and positivity on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). We also hypothesized that physical inactivity which may have occurred under such behavioral restrictions would have had a particularly strong impact on CES-D positivity, and verified this hypothesis. This observational cohort study was carried out as a component of the mandatory health checkup program for employees at Juntendo University Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.in 2022. All 4,786 employees included in the study. Among them, 4700 valid responses and 4436 consents to the study were obtained. The prevalence of CES-D in 2022 was 32.5%, higher than that in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic (27.5%). Moreover, we summarized the 2022 employee variables for each CES-D result (negative vs. positive group). A notable difference was identified between the two groups concerning. age, sex, BMI, occupation, living alone, total working hours, and sleep duration. Logistic regression analysis was performed using the binary category as the outcome variable (i.e., CES-D positive findings). The factors related to positive CES-D that were not present in 2019 but only in 2022 were items such as “To smoke cigarettes” and “Less than 4,000 steps.” We obtained results that support our hypothesis, such as the possibility that the impact of the “new lifestyle” on step count could affect depressive symptoms. Additionally, we were able to obtain findings that suggest a relationship between the pandemic’s impact and depressive symptoms. When restrictions on movement are relaxed, immediate rebuilding of better lifestyle habits is necessary to maintain good mental health among healthcare workers.

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