CNN (8/24, Prior) reports that a study indicated “as the coronavirus pandemic gained traction in the United States, internet searches for key words related to panic attacks and acute anxiety spiked.” The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

CNBC (8/24, Higgins-Dunn) reports that the study found “anxiety-related searches were roughly 11% higher than usual over the 58 days after” the president “declared a national emergency on March 13.” Meanwhile, “there were 3.4 million total searches for anxiety, about 375,000 more than usual.” Also covering the story are HealthDay (8/24, Gordon) and Healio (8/24, Miller).

Related Links:

— “Acute anxiety: Internet searches for key words spiked to all-time high early in pandemic, “Ryan Prior, CNN, August 24, 2020

Healio (8/24, Buzby) reports that research indicated “continued use of certain angiotensin agents, calcium antagonists and beta-blockers was linked to decreased rates of depression.” The “analysis included 3,747,190 patients who were on an antihypertensive drug between 2005 and 2015.” The study found that “of the 41 antihypertensive therapies analyzed, nine were associated with a reduced risk for depression: two angiotensin agents (enalapril and ramipril); three calcium antagonists (amlodipine, verapamil and verapamil combinations); and four beta-blockers (propranolol, atenolol, bisoprolol and carvedilol).”

Related Links:

— “Use of certain antihypertensives correlates with reduced incidence of depression, “Scott Buzby, Healio, August 24, 2020

Healio (8/21, Young) reported, “Approximately one in six patients with cirrhosis had depression while more than half had moderate-severe anxiety, according to the results of a phone interview survey.” Investigators analyzed data from “1,021 patients” who “completed it.” The findings were published online in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Related Links:

— “Anxiety, depression common among patients with cirrhosis, “Alex Young, Healio, August 21, 2020

HealthDay (8/21, Preidt) reported, “Eating disorders – such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating disorder – cost the U.S. economy nearly $65 billion in one recent year,” investigators concluded in a study that also revealed that “about 75% of that ($48.6 billion) was due to lost productivity.” The study “team found that there were nearly 54,000 emergency department visits due to eating disorders in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, costing $29 million, and over 23,500 in-patient hospitalizations due to eating disorders, costing $209 million.” The findings were disclosed in “a news release from the Academy for Eating Disorders.”

Related Links:

— “Eating Disorders Cost Billions in the U.S., “Robert Preidt, HealthDay, August 21, 2020

HCPlive (8/20, Walter) reports researchers have “determined the overall effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of geriatric adults with pre-existing major depressive disorder (MDD).” For the study, researchers “examined 73 community-living older adults with pre-existing MDD living in Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis,” finding that these older adults “were more concerned by the risk of contracting the virus than by the risks of social isolation.” What’s more, the study revealed that “older patients exhibited resilience to the stress and isolation of physical distancing.” The findings were published online ahead of print in the September issue of the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Geriatric Patients with Depression Showing Resiliency During COVID-19 Pandemic, “Kenny Walter, HCPlive, August 20, 2020