[Economic recession (2006-2012) and changes in the health status of the Spanish population]. / Recesión económica (2006-2012) y cambios en el estado de salud de la población española.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of mental health problems in Spanish population with the economic recession (2006-2012), and find out how it affects the self-perception of health status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study using the National Health Survey of Spain, 2006/2007 and 2011/2012. Using logistic regression models, three indicators linked to mental health and perceived health were analyzed. RESULTS: In 2011/2012 the consumption of anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills increased in men and women. Mental dysfunction increased during the economic crisis in the male population. The perception of optimal health did not suffer significantly in either men or women. CONCLUSIONS: The economic recession showed a changing relation to the mental and general health of the population, coinciding with an increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety.

Recesión económica (2006-2012) y cambios en el estado de salud de la población española / Economic recession (2006-2012) and changes in the health status of the Spanish population

Objetivo. Analizar la relación de los problemas de salud mental en población española con la recesión económica (2006-2012) y establecer en qué sentido afecta a la autopercepción del estado de salud. Material y métodos. Estudio transversal comparativo utilizando la Encuesta Nacional de Salud de España, 2006/2007 y 2011/2012. Mediante modelos de regresión logística, se analizaron tres indicadores relacionados con la salud mental y la salud percibida. Resultados. En 2011/2012 aumentó el consumo de medicamentos ansiolíticos y somníferos en hombres y mujeres. La disfunción mental aumentó durante el periodo de crisis económica en la población de varones. La percepción de una salud óptima no sufrió cambios significativos en hombres ni en mujeres. Conclusiones. La recesión económica mostró una relación variable con la salud mental y general de la población, y coincidió con un aumento de los trastornos de salud mental, como la ansiedad.

Objective. To analyze the relationship of mental health problems in Spanish population with the economic recession (2006-2012), and find out how it affects the self-perception of health status. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study using the National Health Survey of Spain, 2006/2007 and 2011/2012. Using logistic regression models, three indicators linked to mental health and perceived health were analyzed. Results. In 2011/2012 the consumption of anti-anxiety medications and sleeping pills increased in men and women. Mental dysfunction increased during the economic crisis in the male population. The perception of optimal health did not suffer significantly in either men or women. Conclusions. The economic recession showed a changing relation to the mental and general health of the population, coinciding with an increase in mental health disorders, such as anxiety.