Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Mood Status: A Comparison of Hemodialysis and Oncology Patients

Introduction: Coronavirus related lockdown measures had a severe psychological toll. We investigated the effects of population-wide infection control measures on hemodialysis (HD) and oncology patients' mood statuses.

Methods: An electronic survey was used to collect data. We used the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure the mood statuses.

Results: The study groups composed of 400 HD, 234 oncology patients, and 276 controls. HADS anxiety and total POMS scores were significantly higher in the control group than that of both HD and oncology patients, a finding consistent with a worse mood status. In multivariate models, the male gender and the perception of having received appropriate medical support during the pandemic period were independent predictors of better POMS and HADS-anxiety and depression scores.

Conclusion: HD and oncology patients appear to be less affected by the psychological stress induced by social distancing and lockdown periods.