Evaluation of the relationship between the geriatric anxiety and COVID-19 anxiety and fear levels in geriatric dental patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background. Illness, social isolation and loneliness may cause different psychological problems in the geriatric population, including depression and anxiety. Factors such as anxiety and fear can negatively affect dental treatment processes and prognoses. Thus, in terms of dental approach to geriatric individuals, it is important to be aware of the emotional processes the elderly may have experienced during the pandemic.Objectives. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the geriatric anxiety levels and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) anxiety and fear levels in the geriatric population. Material and methods.In this correlational study, 129 geriatric individuals were selected through the convenience sampling method. To gather the data, the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), the COVID-19 Anxiety Scale (CAS), the COVID-19 Fear Scale (CFS), and a questionnaire assessing demographic variables were used. Simple linear regression and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships between the variables.Results. The sample consisted of 70.5% males and 29.5% females aged ≥65 years. The GAS total score (15.64 ±9.34) and its 3 subscale scores were strongly correlated with the CAS and CFS scores. The GAS total score and its subscale scores had a significant linear regression with both the CAS and CFS scores (p < 0.001).Conclusions. An increase in the anxiety and fear levels associated with the pandemic was observed in geriatric individuals. Thus, it should be considered that geriatric individuals may encounter some difficulties during dental treatment and prosthetic rehabilitation after the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to normalize the anxiety levels with the help of professionals, and to implement interventions such as socialization, physical activity and meditation to help balance the anxiety levels.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients’ anxiety levels related to dental appointments in Poland

“…21 This finding is explained by a lower awareness of the real threat of the pandemic amongst young people, and reconciliation with fate and the passage of time in the elderly. 22 A different relationship was observed by researchers from Italy, 22 China, 23 Japan, 24 Turkey, 25 and Poland, 7 who showed that the anxiety levels increased with age. The reason for this can be found in the more severe course of viremia, a worse prognosis and numerous complications correlated with the burden of comorbidities in the elderly.…”

Prevalence of COVID‐19 anxiety, geriatric anxiety, and related factors among the elderly in Quchan, Iran during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a cross‐sectional study

“…Previous studies have reported an increase in anxiety among older adults and a high incidence of COVID-19 anxiety in the elderly following the outbreak. [7][8][9] Advanced age is associated with various diseases and disorders, including mental health conditions, with anxiety being one of the most prevalent. 10 Anxiety significantly affects the lives of the elderly, reducing their quality of life, 11 increasing the risk of developing dementia 12 and cardiovascular diseases, 13 and impairing cognitive function, overall functioning, and sleep patterns.…”

“…COVID‐19 anxiety and geriatric anxiety have emerged as negative consequences following the pandemic. Previous studies have reported an increase in anxiety among older adults and a high incidence of COVID‐19 anxiety in the elderly following the outbreak 7–9 . Advanced age is associated with various diseases and disorders, including mental health conditions, with anxiety being one of the most prevalent 10 .…”

General Population’s Psychological Perceptions of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

“…6 According to past studies, widespread COVID-19 was associated with an increase in depression, anxiety, psychological distress and other mental illness, 3,[7][8][9] and led to a projected and international increase in suicide. 10 Those negative mental impacts may also be associated with various risk factors, which include not only the features of social environment such as news accuracy, 11 and governments' reactions and measures, 12 but also people's demography features like age and gender, 3,[13][14][15] educational levels, 15,16 original physical status, 17 cultural backgrounds, 9,15 employment status, 18 and marital status. 9,15,18 These phenomena should receive more attention from psychiatrists across the world, and their causes, correlates, and managing strategies should be researched on.…”