Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud

The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 on anxiety and depression scores in patients with different modalities of chronic kidney disease. One hundred and seventeen renal patients (50 hemodialysis patients, 13 peritoneal dialysis patients, 32 kidney transplants, and 22 advanced chronic kidney disease patients at pre-dialysis care) were evaluated for depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and perceived fears and resources with standardized (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)) and self-reported questionnaires. The measure points were before vaccination and 15 days after vaccination. The main finding of the study was that there was a decrease in the global mean of normal scores for anxiety and depression symptoms in chronic kidney disease patients post-vaccination. We did not find statistically significant differences in depression or anxiety scores, nor any HRQOL differences between the treatment groups. The three main fears reported by the participants at baseline were those of adverse effects, not getting the vaccine, and lack of information. These findings highlight the potential interest of assessing psychological variables related to the impact of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. New studies will be required to assess the impact of comprehensive vaccine coverage and its psychological impact.

Background: We aimed to determine the presence of alexithymia in patients with craniofacial pain (CFP) compared with asymptomatic individuals. Our secondary aims were to assess the relationship of alexithymia with anxiety and depression levels, as well as to assess the presence of facial emotion recognition deficit. Methods: Medline, Scielo and Google Scholar were searched, with the last search performed in 8 September 2021. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs were calculated for relevant outcomes and were pooled in a meta-analysis using the random effects model. In addition, meta-analyses of correlations and a metaregression of alexithymia with depression and anxiety were performed. Results: Regarding alexithymia, assessed through the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), the results showed significant differences, with higher values in patients compared with asymptomatic individuals, with a large clinical effect (SMD 0.46; 95% CI [0.22–0.71]; heterogeneity-Q 66.86; p < 0.001; inconsistency (I2) = 81%). We found statistically significant correlations with a small clinical effect of alexithymia with anxiety and depression. The meta-regression showed no significant association between the TAS and anxiety or depression. With respect to facial emotion recognition, the results showed statistically significant differences, with greater recognition difficulty in patients compared with asymptomatic individuals, with a large clinical effect (SMD −1.17; 95% CI [−2.01 to −0.33]; heterogeneity-Q 2.97; p = 0.080; I2 = 66%). Conclusions: Patients with CFP showed alexithymia with moderate evidence. There was also moderate evidence indicating that these patients had significant deficits in facial emotion recognition compared with asymptomatic individuals. Furthermore, alexithymia showed statistically significant correlations with anxiety and depression levels.