Identification of risk groups for mental disorders, headache and oral behaviors in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The dramatically changing situation during COVID-19 pandemic, is anticipated to provoke psycho-emotional disturbances and somatization arising from the current epidemiological situation that will become a significant problem for global and regional healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to identify the predictors, risk factors and factors associated with mental disorders, headache and potentially stress-modulated parafunctional oral behaviors among the adult residents of North America and Europe as indirect health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This may help limit the long-term effects of this and future global pandemic crises. The data were collected from 1642 respondents using an online survey. The results demonstrated increased levels of anxiety, depression, headache and parafunctional oral behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in both North American and European residents. The results of this study facilitated the definition of the group most predicted to experience the aforementioned secondary effects of the pandemic. This group included females younger than 28.5 years old, especially those who were single, less well educated and living in Europe. In case of this and other global crises this will allow faster defining the most vulnerable groups and providing rapid and more targeted intervention.

Self-Reported Olfactory Dysfunction and Diet Quality: Findings from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

“…Loss of sense of smell is a hallmark sign of COVID-19 [1][2][3][4][5], emerging early in the disease course and affecting most infected individuals. For most COVID-19 patients, smell-related symptoms tend to resolve within a few weeks; however, 10-20% of individuals may experience chronic smell alterations, persisting beyond six months after onset [89][90][91][92][93]. Globally, the number of people who are living with chronic OD has suddenly increased by several million individuals and will continue to increase, owing to post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).…”

Internet Use Impact on Physical Health during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…The negative effects of excessive internet use on health may be related to the alterations in the individuals neuroanatomical and neurochemical mechanisms, including cortical thinning of various components of the brain and dopaminergic reward circuitry, during excessive use of the internet [26]. While it is imperative that such behavior, especially during a lockdown, remain at a moderate and regulated level, identifying the population at risk of the health consequences of problematic use of the internet is necessary for prevention [27], early intervention and improved work or school functions [28].…”

The Evaluation of the Relationship Between Oral Habits Prevalence and COVID-19 Pandemic in Adults and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…The results from this study enabled the definition of the group most likely to experience these indirect health effects of the pandemic. This group included younger females than 28, especially those who were single, less educated, and living in Europe ( 17 ).…”

“…These two age groups are more present in the community and interact with different people, which has been associated with risks such as person-to-person transmission during COVID-19. Meanwhile, the psychological effects of this issue cannot be overlooked ( 17 ). Some studies have assessed the relationship between increased oral health habits (e.g., bruxism and TMD) and gender, race and marital status of individuals in addition to approving the increased prevalence of these issues in age groups of adolescents and adults.…”

“…The level of stress and the outbreak of related symptoms can differ from race to race. According to Wieckiewicz et al the outbreak of bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) during the Corona pandemic in Americans was significantly higher than in Europeans ( 17 ), and in the Emodi-Perlman study in Polish people was noticeably higher than in Israelis. Studies have indicated a higher outbreak of TMD and bruxism in women ( 18 ).…”