Insomnia and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. a retrospective study on anxiety and sleep disorders among psychiatric patients admitted at „elisabeta doamna” hospital galati, romania

Abstract

Introduction In public mental health there are widespread concerns about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on psychiatric patients. Anxiety and sleep disorders are the focal point in admissions for psychiatric care in individuals that are impacted by these changes. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders among the patients admitted to our hospital. The state of pandemia was declared on the 11th of March but it had already become a main stream media subject in our country at the beginning of the month. Methods A retrospective study was performed at the Psychiatric Hospital ‘Elisabeta Doamna’ Galati, using the exact same period, between 01.03 and 30.09, in both 2019 and 2020. ICD-10 criteria were used and pacients with either F41.x or F51.x as discharge diagnosis were included. Results In total, 7638 cases were admitted during the period in 2019, of which 621 (8,13%) had anxiety disorders and 225 (2,94%) sleep disorders. In comparison in 2020 out of 4050 admitted patients, the number had risen to 1003 (24,76%) anxiety disorders and 388 (9,58%) sleep disorders. Conclusions Analysis of the data shows a three times increase in the percentage of both classes of disorders among our patients. Even considering the lower admition rates, there is a clear shift in the general profile of our average pacient and this has to be taken into consideration in the long and short term treatment of any psychiatric patient.

Keywords

• anxiety disorders
• sleep disorders
• pandemic
• COVID-19