Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39800757›Full record

ArticleArchives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique2025

Health symptoms and associated factors in times of a pandemic: a population-based study.

J Gerbecks, C Plevier, C J Yzermans, M L A Dückers, C Baliatsas

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of public health = Archives belges de sante publique, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

J GerbecksNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.gerbecks@nivel.nl.
C PlevierCommunity Health Service Region Utrecht (GGD Utrecht), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
C J YzermansNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
M L A DückersNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
C BaliatsasNetherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel), Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNon-specific symptoms, such as headaches and sleep problems, are more common after disasters. They can become chronic, and impact emotional and physical functioning. However, limited research has focused on such symptoms in the context of a pandemic. This study investigated the association between perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and prevalence, duration, and severity of health symptoms.

methodsA cross-sectional survey using validated questionnaires was conducted shortly after the first COVID-19 wave in 2020, with nearly 46,000 adult participants from Utrecht, the Netherlands. Negative binomial regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between pandemic-related factors and symptom reports, adjusting for demographics, chronic conditions, lifestyle, and socio-economic status.

resultsPerceived impact of the pandemic on stress levels, loneliness, anxiety and depression was consistently and significantly associated with symptom report, duration, and perceived severity. Incidence rate ratio's (IRR) varied from 1.17 to 1.29. Delayed care during the pandemic was associated with severity of symptoms (IRR = 1.63; 99% confidence intervals (CI): 1.20-2.20). People that (suspected) got COVID-19 infected were at higher risk of symptom report, duration, and perceived severity (IRR around 1.20-1.28).

conclusionAs with other disasters, the perceived impact of an immediate threat such as a pandemic can influence health symptoms, independent of health or socio-demographic factors. Understanding symptom patterns and risk factors can assist healthcare professionals and policymakers in identifying vulnerable groups, symptoms profiles, and improving care and support during and after pandemics.

Indexed as

COVID-19Health symptomsNon-specific symptomsPandemic

Identifiers

PMID39800757
PMCPMC11727430

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.