Nutritional Status of COVID 19 Patients: Possible Impact on Mental Health Status

Abstract

Objectives To assess the impact of the nutritional status of COVID-19 patients on their mental health status. It is hypothesized that patients would have impaired mental health status due to compromised nutritional status Methods An epidemiological, cross-sectional study included acute-severely ill COVID-19 patients in Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. The following parameters were assessed: demographic characteristics, nutritional status (using the Malnutrition Screening Tool), BMI, loss of appetite, weight loss, decreased food intake and mental health status (using the PHQ-9 to determine the severity of depression). Data collectors wore Personal Protective Equipment and spent a maximum of 15 minutes with each patient. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health as well as patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26. Results Patients (n = 515; 82% males) were included. They aged 31–50 years old (60%), married (85%), had low education level (85%), employed in non-governmental sectors (67%), and were non-Saudis (76%). Patients complained of loss of appetite (32%), weight loss (16%), and decreased food intake (19%). A significant number were at risk (13.6%) and 1.6% had high risk of malnutrition. Patients (4%) were underweight and 45% were overweight and/or obese. The mean BMI was 25.4 (SD = 5). They (23.4%) suffered from various degrees of depression. Mild depression was most prevalent (17%) followed by moderate depression (4.3%). Moderately severe and severe depression were common among 2.1%. One way ANOVA indicated that the severity of depression associated with the loss of appetite (P < 0.0005), decreased food intake (P < 0.0005), weight loss (P < 0.0005), and BMI (P < 0.0005). Linear Multiple Regression showed that the loss of appetite (B = 0.037, 95%CI = 0.011–0.352, P = 0.037), weight loss (B = 0.114, 95%CI = 0.000–0.228, P = 0.0049), and BMI (B = 0.031, 95%CI = 0.004–0.057, P = 0.023) affected patients' severity of depression. Conclusions Possible factors associated with depression included loss of appetite, decreased food intake, weight change and BMI. Early detection of malnutrition-related factors and depression reduces hospital stay and cost of medication. It speeds up the rate of recovery, improves health outcomes and the quality of life. Funding Sources No funding was received.