Prevalencia de ansiedad y depresión entre los estudiantes de medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

objective: to determine prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among medical students at the school of medicine of the pontificia universidad católica de chile and its relationship with other psychosocial variables. method: a prevalence study was done using an anonymous and voluntary survey among medical students from the 1st to the 7th year of studies that was applied after informed consent was signed. psychosocial variables were studied and goldberg questionnaire (ghq-12 items) was applied along with beck depression inventory (bdi21 items). results: 74% answered the questionnaire. 39% presented a positive goldberg test and 21% presented a positive bdi. presence of emotional symptoms was associated to women and to having recently suffered a personal event. twelve % of all students were under professional treatment, but of those with a positive bdi, only 47% were under treatment. men and those who finance their studies through a student's loan or a scholarship were at higher risk of being untreated. discussion: prevalence of symptoms associated to mental problems was higher among medical students than the one found in the general population, although comparison must be treated cautiously given the different instruments used in each study. medicine schools should be aware of these issues and be prepared to identify and help those students in need of support.