[Prevalence of depression and associated socioeconomic factors: evolution from the pre- to post-COVID-19 periods]

To analyse the evolution of the prevalence of depression in adults in the Community of Madrid from the pre- to post-COVID-19 periods according to sex and socioeconomic factors.

The source of information was the Non-communicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance System in population aged 18-64 years. Trends are analysed by period: pre-COVID-19 (2018 and 2019), COVID-19 (2020, 2021 and 2022) and post-COVID-19 (2023). Depression was defined as a score ≥10 on the PHQ-8 questionnaire. Prevalence and prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated for different periods and for comparisons between periods, according to Poisson regression models by sex and adjusted for socioeconomic variables.

In 11,959 people surveyed, the prevalence of depression in men was 3.6% (95%CI: 2.8-4.5) in the pre-COVID-19, 6.6% (95%CI: 5.7-7.5) in COVID-19 and 7.8% (95%CI: 6.3-9.7) in the post-COVID-19, and in women it was 6.4% (95%CI: 5.4-7.6), 13.0% (95%CI: 11.8-14.2) and 12.7% (95%CI: 10.8-14.9), respectively. The prevalence ratios to respect to the previous period, adjusted for socioeconomic variables, indicate an increase in COVID-19, maintaining this increase in the post COVID-19 period and with an increase in the gender gap during the pandemic. In men, a socioeconomic gradient was observed, with increases among those with the lowest educational attainment and the most disadvantaged socio-occupational class, while for women the increase was observed in all socioeconomic groups. The high prevalence among young people in the post COVID-19 period is noteworthy.

The highest prevalence of depression among women was accentuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in depression shows differences by sex and socioeconomic status.