Anxiety and depression among gastroenterologists: an online survey in Bangladesh

Anxiety and depression negatively affect physicians' performance, leading to them make errors in service providing. Reports regarding the prevalence of anxiety and depression among specialist physicians are limited.

To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among gastroenterologists in Bangladesh.

This cross-sectional study was conducted among gastroenterologists in Bangladesh. Survey questionnaires, including general information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), were sent to the gastroenterologists' email addresses. Responses were collected and analysed.

Out of 166 gastroenterologists, 63 (37.9%, mean age: 49.77 ±8.0 years, 96.8% male, mean service length: 20.2 ±8.0 years, mean working length as specialists 13.2 ±7.2 years) responded. In this series, symptom scores of 16 (25.4%) and 13 (20.7%) respondents were consistent with anxiety and depression, respectively. Nine (14.2%) respondents had symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Anxiety was significantly more prevalent among gastroenterologists of the 41-50-years age group (p = 0.007), and those who were working as specialists less than or equal to 5 years (p = 0.014). Depression was also more common among gastroenterologists in the 41-50-years age group 7 (24.1%), doing government service 10 (19.6%), service length ≤ 15 years 5 (29.4%), and working as specialist less than or equal to 10 years 7 (31.8%), but the difference was not significant.

Anxiety and depression are more prevalent among gastroenterologists than in the general population. Further studies should be done to determine the risk factors behind anxiety and depression among gastroenterologists so that adequate preventive measures can be taken.