Burnout in Stroke Patients Pre-and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Since the first appearance of COVID-19 numerous complications have been reported particularly within 1.48% of the population suffering from stroke. Maintaining positive mental health is crucial to modulate COVID-19 impacts involving burnout, depression, and anxiety. Objective:The aim of the current study was to investigate the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt on the level of burnout in stroke cases. Patients and methods:A total of 100 Egyptian stroke male and female cases participated in the study. Participants aged between 34 and 70 years old and their cognition score was >26 according to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale. The Malach-Pines tool was used to measure burnout. Results:The mean scores of all items of the burnout scale increased significantly post COVID-19 in comparison with that of pre COVID-19 (P<0.001). The highest score was for "I've had it" with a mean score of 4.17 (SD 1.08) pre COVID-19, which increased significantly post COVID-19 to 5.98 (SD 0.97). The score of "I've had it" also increased significantly post COVID-19 in both age classes, duration of illness classes, and in females and males (P<0.001), also increase significantly post COVID-19 compared with that pre COVID-19 in subjects with high, medium, and low educational levels (P<0.001). Conclusion:Lockdown procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on stroke cases whose post COVID-19 burnout levels had increased and led to worse management outcomes.