A COMPREHENSIVE study analysing data from the UK Biobank has uncovered a concerning trend: adults with metabolic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, are experiencing a notable increase in new-onset mental health disorders following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research focused on 90,580 participants diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 2020 and October 2022, all of whom completed mental health assessments both before (2016–2017) and after (2022–2023) the pandemic. Findings indicate that individuals with preexisting metabolic conditions had significantly higher odds of developing depression (hypertension: OR 1.22; diabetes: OR 1.8; obesity: OR 1.66) and anxiety (hypertension: OR 1.32; diabetes: OR 1.66; obesity: OR 1.2) compared to those without such conditions.
Moreover, standardized mental health scores, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), showed significant increases among this group, suggesting a deterioration in mental well-being. Conversely, scores from the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) decreased over time, indicating a complex relationship between metabolic health and alcohol use post-pandemic.
The study also identified additional factors contributing to the heightened risk, such as younger age, female gender, smoking status, shift work, and limited social interactions. These insights underscore the importance of integrating mental health support into the care plans for patients with metabolic diseases, especially in the context of ongoing public health challenges.
As the global community continues to navigate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research highlights the critical need for proactive mental health interventions tailored to individuals with metabolic conditions.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Cho JM et al. New-onset mental disorders increase among patients with metabolic diseases after the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci Rep. 2025;DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-99280-6.
