Depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective study on depressive disorders among psychiatric patients admitted at “elisabeta doamna” hospital galati, romania

Abstract

Introduction Isolation, life changes and increased stress lead to widespread concerns about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on psychiatric patients. The rise in depressive disorders is one of the negative effects associated directly and indirectly to the pandemic. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of depressive 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 with real life changes for our citizens. 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 2019 and 2020. ICD-10 criteria were used and pacients with either F32.x,F33.x or F38.x as discharge diagnosis were included. Results In total, 7638 cases were admitted during the period in 2019, of which 751 (9,83%) had depressive disorders. In comparison with 2020 where out of 4050 admitted patients, the number had risen to 1034 (25,53%) a net increase in total number of cases by 37.6%. Conclusions Analysis of the data shows a 2.5 times increase in the percentage of depressive disorders among our patients. Even taking in account the lower admition rates, we have seen a clear shift in the psychiatric profile of the average pacient and this has to be taken into consideration in the long and short term treatment of any psychiatric patient.

Keywords

• Covid-19
• Depressive disorders
• Pandemic