RESUMEN
RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar se houve impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 na prevalência de transtornos mentais comuns (TMCs) entre estudantes de Medicina, investigando os possíveis fatores de risco associados. Métodos: Estudo observacional, desenvolvido com 289 estudantes de Medicina de Salvador, Bahia, realizado antes e durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado contendo dados sociodemográficos, acadêmicos e sobre hábitos de vida. O rastreamento de TMC foi realizado por meio do Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). A coleta de dados ocorreu em duas etapas: a primeira, presencial (período anterior à pandemia) e a segunda, virtual (período pandêmico). Resultados: Não houve diferença na prevalência de TMC entre os momentos antes e durante a pandemia (48,0% vs. 44,5%, p = 0,577). Durante a pandemia, verificou-se aumento do envolvimento religioso (80,6% vs. 92,7%, p = 0,002) e do consumo de bebidas alcoólicas (45,9% vs. 69,1%, p < 0,001). Entre os estudantes, observou-se aumento de TMC entre homens (17,0% vs. 34,1%, p = 0,036); redução entre mulheres (83,0% vs. 65,9%, p = 0,036); aumento entre aqueles com envolvimento religioso (80,9% vs. 92,9%, p = 0,036); e aumento em todos os ciclos acadêmicos (p = 0,039). Conclusão: Apesar de a prevalência de TMC em estudantes de Medicina manter-se expressiva, não foi demonstrado impacto direto da pandemia de COVID-19 em suas taxas. Ademais, a prevalência de TMC foi maior entre os estudantes com engajamento religioso e consumidores de bebida alcoólica.
ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze whether there was an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among medical students, investigating the possible associated risk factors. Methods: It is an observational study, developed with 289 medical students from Salvador, Bahia, carried out before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic, academic and lifestyle data was used. CMD screening was performed using the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Data collection took place in two stages: the first in person (period before the pandemic) and the second virtual (pandemic period). Results: There was no difference in the prevalence of CMD between the moments before and during the pandemic (48.0% vs. 44.5%, p = 0.577). During the pandemic, there was an increase in religious involvement (80.6% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.002) and consumption of alcoholic beverages (45.9% vs. 69.1%, p < 0.001). Among students, there was an increase in CMD among men (17.0% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.036); reduction among women (83.0% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.036); increase among those with religious involvement (80.9% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.036); and increase in all academic cycles (p = 0.039). Conclusion: Although the prevalence of CMD in medical students remains expressive, there was no direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its rates. In addition, the prevalence of CMD was higher among students with religious commitment and alcohol drinkers.