Lee Ester Pei Xuan, Man Ryan Eyn Kidd, Gan Tau Liang Alfred, Fenwick Eva K, Aravindhan Amudha, Ho Kam Chun, Sung Sharon Cohan, Wong Tien Yin, Ho Cyrus Su Hui, Gupta Preeti, Lamoureux Ecosse L
Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore.
Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2021 Nov 2;37(1). doi: 10.1002/gps.5645.
Several countries have implemented 'lockdown' measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
To examine the psychological, physical activity (PA), and financial impact of a 2-month COVID-19 lockdown on older adults aged ≥60 years in Singapore, and to identify factors associated with adverse lockdown-related outcomes.
We interviewed 496 community-dwelling adults (mean age [standard deviation]: 73.8 [7.6] years; 54.8% female) during the lockdown who had previously participated in a population-based epidemiological study. Validated questionnaires were utilised to assess loneliness and depressive symptoms at both timepoints, while inhouse questionnaires were used to assess PA and financial difficulty during lockdown. Multivariable regression models determined the lockdown-related change in loneliness and depression scores, and the factors associated with adverse outcomes.
Loneliness increased significantly during the lockdown period (p < 0.001) while depressive symptoms decreased (p = 0.022). Decreased PA, greater financial problems, male gender, Indian ethnicity, living alone, having a greater body mass index and perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 were all associated with worsening loneliness scores. A total of 36.9% and 19.6% participants reported decreased PA and had financial problems during the lockdown, respectively. Unemployment was associated with decreased PA, while self-employed individuals, cleaners, retail workers and smokers had greater odds of experiencing financial difficulty.
Despite a decrease in depressive symptoms, our population of older Asians reported a significant increase in loneliness and decreased PA, with one-fifth experiencing financial problems during lockdown. Our data suggest that more targeted public health efforts are needed to reduce repercussions of future lockdowns.
多个国家已实施“封锁”措施以遏制2019冠状病毒病（COVID-19）的传播。
研究为期2个月的COVID-19封锁对新加坡60岁及以上老年人的心理、身体活动（PA）和经济影响，并确定与封锁相关不良后果相关的因素。
我们在封锁期间采访了496名社区居住成年人（平均年龄[标准差]：73.8[7.6]岁；54.8%为女性），他们此前参与了一项基于人群的流行病学研究。使用经过验证的问卷在两个时间点评估孤独感和抑郁症状，同时使用内部问卷评估封锁期间的身体活动和经济困难。多变量回归模型确定了与封锁相关的孤独感和抑郁评分变化以及与不良后果相关的因素。
在封锁期间孤独感显著增加（p<0.001），而抑郁症状有所下降（p=0.022）。身体活动减少、经济问题更多、男性、印度族裔、独居、体重指数更高以及认为自己易感染COVID-19均与孤独感评分恶化相关。共有36.9%和19.6%的参与者报告在封锁期间身体活动减少和出现经济问题。失业与身体活动减少相关，而个体经营者、清洁工、零售工人和吸烟者出现经济困难的几率更高。
尽管抑郁症状有所下降，但我们的亚洲老年人群报告孤独感显著增加且身体活动减少，五分之一的人在封锁期间出现经济问题。我们的数据表明，需要更有针对性的公共卫生努力来减少未来封锁的影响。
