The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a dramatic rise in depressive and anxiety disorders, with women and younger people most affected, according to an Australian-led review of data from 2020.

Global prevalence of major depressive disorder rose by 28% and prevalence of anxiety disorders increased by 26% according to the systematic review and meta-analysis of 48 studies published during the 13-month period ending January 2021.

Areas that were hardest hit by high infection rates and strict lockdowns saw the greatest increases in these mental health disorders, according to the results published in The Lancet.

All studies included reported pre-pandemic levels of the disorders, enabling the researchers to estimate that an additional 53 million cases of depression and an additional 76 million cases of anxiety occurred worldwide during the period.