Changes in psychiatric emergencies during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in El Bierzo (Spain)

INTRODUCTION: The interest have focused in the effects of COVID-19 in mental symptoms. However, the pandemic and restrictions such as the lockdown decreed in Spain limited access to resources and lead to a change in assistance organization. OBJECTIVES: to compare the incidence and characteristics of psychiatric emergencies during the Spanish 2020 Lockdown with the same period in 2019 METHODS: All the emergencies attended the the emergency room (Hospital El Bierzo) From 01/02/2019 to 30/06/2019 and those from 01/02/2020 to 30/06/2020 were analysed by two senior psychiatrists. Cases were selected if attended by any psychiatric reason. The cases were evalueated identifying ICD-10 diagnosis (according to clinical records and best criteria matching), sociodemographics, factors associated to the emergency and resolution. RESULTS: 23360 cases were attended in 2019 (799 psychiatric), 14907 (578) in 2020. That means a 36.19% of reduction in general emergencies and 27.66% in psychiatric emergencies (psychiatric emergencies proportion increased form 3.42% to 4.03%). The reduction started the week just before the lockdown declaration, minimal records coincided with the highest COVID-19 incidence and the recovery starts in early june for psychiatric and late June for general emergencies (figure 1). A decrease of 62.79% of anxiety cases and 45.9% of depresion was observed with no incresaes in any diagnosis. A slight increase in suicide attempts (two cases) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The lockdown seem to decrease psychiatric emergency care. Only suicidability was maintained/increased during the period. Psychiatry services must be aware of the risk of unattended inicidence that may cause an increase of cases after the lockdown. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.