Impact of the first Covid-19 pandemic wave on first episode psychosis in Milan, italy.

Abstract

The ongoing Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic appears to increase risk for mental illness, either directly due to inflammation caused by the virus or indirectly due to related psychosocial stress, resulting in the development of both anxious-depressive and psychotic symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of all patients with First Episodes Psychosis (FEP) without COVID-19 infection hospitalized in the first four months since lockdown in Milan. We recruited sixty-two patients hospitalized between March 8 to July 8, 2020 versus those first hospitalized in the same period in 2019. The two subgroups were compared for sociodemographic variables and clinical characteristics of the episodes. Patients with FEP in 2020 were significantly older than patients with FEP in 2021, and presented with significantly less substances abuse. Interestingly, patients presenting with FEP in 2020 were significantly older than patients with FEP in 2019. These data are compatible with the greater vulnerability to stressful factors during the pandemic, as well as with the greater concern regarding a possible COVID-19 infection producing brain damage causing the FEP.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on involuntary and urgent inpatient admissions for psychiatric disorders in a German-wide hospital network

“…Only the diagnosis groups F10–F19 and F20–F29 show a numerical increase in the percentage of cumulative admissions in 2020 as compared to the previous years. It is interesting to note in this context, that recent reports indicate an increase in the utilization of psychiatric treatment for these diagnosis groups ( Esposito et al, 2021 ; Melamed et al, 2020 ). It needs to be assessed in further studies, whether specific psychiatric disorders will be more affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the future ( Ambrosetti et al, 2021 ; Tromans et al, 2020 ).…”

Trends of new-onset psychosis or mania in psychiatric emergency departments during the COVID19 pandemic: a longitudinal comparative study

“…Studies examining trends of psychiatric referrals and emergency visits found an overall decrease in the number of presentations 15 – 17 . A relative increase in psychotic and manic presentation was observed in some studies, as well as increased severity, manifested in greater numbers of involuntary admissions 15 , 17 , 18 . Other studies, however, report similar or slight decrease in psychotic cases 16 , 19 .While studies acknowledged the different pathways in which the pandemic can affect these trends (biological vs psychological and sociological), results were conflicting, whether COVID19 positive patients were more likely to be psychotic 19 , or no difference was observed between COVID19 positive and negative patients 15 .…”

Hospital workers mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: methods of data collection and characteristics of study sample in a university hospital in Milan (Italy)

“…These events have been associated to a deterioration of psychological health and have been recognized as potential triggers for various mental-health diseases, including first episodes of psychosis [ 3 ] and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [ 4 , 5 ]. Psychological impairment has particularly severe consequences on healthcare workers also impacting public health by diminishing psychological resources, working abilities and competences, potentially causing inappropriate, negligent and careless behaviors [ 6 ].…”