Epidemiological study of patients presenting with anxiety and depression, in their post COVID-19 phase

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 caused havoc on the mankind. Post COVID-19 effects were also very painful. Post COVID-19 symptoms affected almost every organ system of the body not only physically, but also had a very profound effect on psyche of different individuals. We studied prevalence of anxiety and depression in post COVID-19 phase. Materials and methods: All patients attending various outpatient Departments, who had positive RTPCR for COVID-19, more than 3 months before the present symptoms, were included in this study. The patients were divided in two groups depending upon severity of the COVID-19 infection in past. Group-I patients were treated for COVID-19 on domiciliary basis while those required admission to hospital for treatment for COVID-19 were included in Group-II. Scoring system decided if the patient was normal or had anxiety or depression. Results: Both anxiety and depression were common in post COVID-19 phase. Group-II patients were affected more 38.65% (167 out of 432) as compared to only 10.13% (62 out of 612) of Group-I patients. Depression was seen in 52 out of 237 (22.94%) in males as compared to female 20 out of 195 (10.25%) in Group-II. Anxiety was also more common in males in Group-II, 62 out of 237 (26.18%) than females 33 out of 195 (16.92%). Conclusion: Both anxiety and depression were very common post COVID-19 infection. Hospitalized patients suffered more than those who had milder disease and were treated at home for COVID-19. Males suffered more than the females.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• covid-19
• rtpcr