PTSD in patients with severe cases of COVID-19

An observational study was carried out by the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli (Rome, Italy) IRCCS to determine whether those who experienced severe COVID-19 infections developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The study, ages 18 to 89, which took place from April 2020 to October 2020, involved 381 participants. Approximately 80% of patients were hospitalized for the severity of their COVD-19 symptoms, all of which recovered from their infection within 30-120 days. The average number of days the participants spent in the hospital was 18.41 days. Both medical and psychiatric exams were performed for each person who participated in the study after they recovered from COVID-19 infections.

Trained psychiatrists were able to diagnose participants based on criteria related to PTSD and other mental disorders. PTSD was diagnosed in over 30% of people after a COVID-19 infection, which is partly due to a traumatic event. In addition, other disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and depressive episodes were observed in the participants.

One of the factors commonly associated with PTSD is gender, as women are more likely to suffer from the disorder compared to men. Of the 381 participants, almost half (43.6%) were female. Those who have had psychological problems such as anxiety and depression in the past were also more likely to have had PTSD. Persistent symptoms even after recovery from the virus would be another factor that would increase the risk of PTSD after a COVID-19 infection.

It should be noted that only a few participants were involved in this study. In addition, no control group was involved in the study, which looked at patients admitted to the emergency room for cases unrelated to COVID-19. After recovery, this control group, which was not infected with COVID-19, could be monitored to see if they developed PTSD or other related disorders. This would allow better links to be made between PTSD and COVID-19 infection, while taking into account the potential impact of just being in the emergency room during a pandemic.

This study is important for several reasons. First, the results highlight the importance of understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 infection. Although a person may have physically recovered from COVID-19, there is the potential to develop other disorders such as PTSD from the associated trauma. Risk factors such as biological sex and previous mental health issues should also be considered when following treatment for patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

Source:

Janiri D., Carfì A., Kotzalidis GD, et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder in patients after severe COVID-19 infection. JAMA psychiatry. Published online February 18, 2021. doi: 10.1001 / jamapsychiatry.2021.0109

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