Psychiatric complications in patients after acute Coronavirus Disease 2019: An observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience various complications affecting various systems in our body. The neuropsychiatric complications are not given its due importance and are not elucidated in our part of the country. Through this study, we are trying to gain insight into the various complications and the factors contributing to them. Objectives: (1) To evaluate the psychiatric complications in patients after acute COVID-19. (2) To evaluate the factors contributing to the development of psychiatric complications. Methodology: The study was an observational cross-sectional study conducted between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Patients who have recently recovered from acute COVID-19 were included in the study. A detailed history was taken, physical examination was done and reports of relevant investigations were collected. Cognitive impairment was subjectively assessed. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Suicide risk was assessed using the suicide risk estimator developed by Motto et al. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25. Results: Depression was prevalent among 40.8% of the subjects and anxiety among 44.5%, with a majority of the affected individuals being in their forties. Depression was more among subjects who had a severe illness with extensive computed tomography involvement and still had varying degrees of impaired exercise tolerance. The presence of a family member affected with COVID-19 and the incurrence of high treatment expenditures were also significant risk factors. Anxiety was more common among health-care workers and in subjects who had severe illnesses. Women, alcoholics, subjects with persisting breathlessness, and those getting less hours of sleep were also found to be more anxious. Suicide risk was found to be higher among alcoholics and those with financial problems. Conclusion: Psychiatric complications are an overlooked but clinically relevant entity that needs to be given its due importance. Identification and prompt treatment of these complications can significantly improve the quality of life of these patients.

Keywords

• anxiety
• cognitive impairment
• complications
• coronavirus disease 2019
• depression
• psychiatry
• suicide