The Association between Physical Symptoms and Depression among Medical Students in Egypt | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 32, Volume 99, Issue 1, April 2025, Page 1574-1581 PDF (749.03 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2025.421565 | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Medical students experience high psychological distress due to the demanding nature of their course, and this has significant implications for their physical and mental well-being. Few studies, however, have attempted to determine the association between depression and physical symptoms among Egyptian medical students. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between depression and physical symptoms among the Egyptian medical students. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among medical students in Egypt before the start of the academic semester. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, including demographic information and two validated self-report scales: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) for physical symptom. Results: 155 eligible students participated in the study, and they were predominantly females (76.1%) and fifth-year students (59.4%). The prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 66.5%, and 72.9% had moderate to severe physical symptoms. Depression was significantly positively correlated with physical symptoms (r =.472, p <.01). Social variables were examined as well: students in a relationship had fewer physical symptoms (Mean = 12.66, SD = 5.30) and depression scores (Mean = 10.55, SD = 4.74) than single students. Similarly, working students had lower depression scores (Mean = 10.77, SD = 4.73) and fewer physical symptoms (Mean = 12.26, SD = 5.15) than unemployed students. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant correlation between depression and physical symptoms among Egyptian medical students. Furthermore, having a relationship and working alongside studies appear to be associated with less depression and physical symptoms. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Physical symptoms; Depression; Medical students; Egypt; Mental health; Quality of life | ||||
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