Posttraumatic-stress disorder, and others psychological impairment in COVID-19 surviving patients.

Abstract

Background: The post-COVID syndrome generates physical and respiratory complications that can be accompanied by psychological impairments, which can affect long-term mental and physical health.

Objective: Know the prevalence and severity of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in surviving COVID-19 patients in a follow-up evaluation.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. 227 survivors COVID-19 patients participated, were assessed three months following discharge hospital. The following questionnaires were used: The Brief Davidson Trauma Scale, the General Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. A descriptive and statically analysis was performed using the statistical software SPSS version 26.

Results: The 64.5% of the patients were men, 60.9% required of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) during the hospitalization, the average age was about 48.23±14.33 years old. The 40% of the patients showed symptoms associated with PTSD, 38.4% anxiety symptoms, 36.6% depression symptoms. There were statistically significant differences between the type of treatment during hospitalization (IMV vs without IMV), in PTSD (t=2.482, df=223, p=.014, X̅ _IMV= 5.21, X̅_WIMV = 6.08) and anxiety (t= -2.006, df=223, p=.046, X̅_IMV= 4.05, X̅_WIMV=5.44).

Conclusion: Survivors of COVID-19 experience a high prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, and depression even three months after discharge from hospital. Patients who did not require IMV during hospitalization experienced a high prevalence and severity of PTSD and anxiety symptoms. Screening for PTSD and other emotional disturbances should be considered in follow-up evaluations in patients discharged from the hospital.