Conversion and Obsessive–Phobic Symptoms Predict IL-33 and IL-28A Levels in Individuals Diagnosed with COVID-19

Abstract

The first epidemiological wave of the incidence of COVID-19 in Bulgaria was registered in June 2020. After the wave peak, we conducted a study in persons diagnosed with COVID-19 (N = 52). They were assessed with the anxiety–depressive scale (ADS), including basic (BS), vegetative (VS), conversion (CS), obsessive–phobic (OPS), and depressive (DS) symptoms. ADS assessment of individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 indicated a correlation between OPS and IL-33 values. IL-10 levels were higher than reference ranges in all patients. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that combination of CS and OPS explained 28% of IL-33 levels, while combination of symptoms from all ADS dimensions explained 24% of IL-33 levels. It was also found that 21% of IL-28A levels was explained from the combination by all ADS dimensions, whereas OPS was the predictor for lower concentrations. The obtained results revealed meaningful correlations between psycho neuro–immunological factors in pathogenesis of illness from the coronavirus infection.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• IL-28A and IL-33
• SARS-CoV-2 infection