Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms among patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis of quality effects model

Abstract

Background Evidence from previous virus epidemics has shown that infected patients are at risk for developing psychiatric and mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Hence, to collect high-quality data on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 should be the immediate priority. Methods A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases was conducted from January 1, 2020 to December 26, 2020 for eligible studies reporting on the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Studies meeting the following criteria were included in the analysis: (1) included patients with COVD-19; (2) recorded the prevalence of depression, anxiety, or insomnia symptom; (3) sample size ≥30; (4) with validated screening tools; and (5) passed through the international peer-review process. Data extraction and quality assessment was independently performed by two reviewers. The quality effects meta-analysis was conducted further to calculate the pooled prevalence. Results Twenty-two studies were included for analysis with a total of 4318 patients. The pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms was 38% (95% CI = 25–51), 38% (95% CI = 24–52), and 48% (95% CI = 11–85), respectively. Neither subgroup analysis nor sensitivity analysis can explain the source of high heterogeneity. In addition, the prevalence estimates of depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms varied based on different screening tools. Conclusions The present systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that depression, anxiety, and insomnia symptoms are prevalent in a considerable proportion of patients with COVID-19. Thus, early detection and properly intervention for mental illness in this population are of great significance. Additionally, the quality of included studies to date has been variable, and ongoing surveillance is essential.

Insomnia, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international collaborative study

“…For example, a meta-analysis of 44 studies conducted in 13 countries revealed a 35.7% prevalence rate of sleep problems across studies conducted in the general population, although no standard criteria or measures were used across studies to define sleep problems. In another meta-analysis of 22 studies, rates of depression and anxiety (38% for each) and of insomnia (48%) were even higher than the current one, although the definitions of each conditions were not the same as in the present study [ 6 ]. Another meta-analysis of studies conducted with health-care workers [ 9 ] found pooled prevalence of 38.9% for insomnia, 23.2% for anxiety, and 22.8% for depression.…”

“…Surveys conducted in several countries since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as meta-analyses [ [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ], have reported very high and variable rates of insomnia (20–35%), anxiety (20–45%), and depression (25–50%) in the general population [ 7 , 8 ], with rates even higher among health-care workers [ [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] ] and patients with COVID-19 [ 6 ]. Such estimates clearly exceed base rates reported in most epidemiological studies conducted under normal circumstances (ie, pre-pandemic) and using similar criteria [ 13 , 14 ].…”

The prevalence of insomnia among health care workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic: An umbrella review of meta-analyses

“…This pandemic has been associated with an increased prevalence of psychological health issues, in addition to the more obvious physical health consequences [ 3 , 4 ]. The disease affects different aspects of people's lives and different communities in the society, including health care workers (HCWs) [ 5 , 6 ]. HCWs, due to frequent contact with COVID-19 patients, are at high risk of infection transmission.…”

Managing life during the pandemic: communication strategies, mental health, and the ultimate toll of the COVID-19

“…The meta-analysis of Liu et al [54] documented that depression, anxiety and insomnia symptoms were highly prevalent in the COVID-19 patients, even higher than the general population affected by the outbreak. In this meta-analysis, insomnia symptoms and being a female come to the forefront.…”