The Impact of Long COVID-19 on Mental Health: Observational 6-Month Follow-Up Study

Abstract

Background The psychological impact of COVID-19 can be substantial. However, knowledge about long-term psychological outcomes in patients with COVID-19 is scarce. Objective In this longitudinal, observational study, we aimed to reveal symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and symptoms of anxiety and depression up to 6 months after the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms in patients with confirmed COVID-19 and persistent complaints. To demonstrate the impact in nonhospitalized patients, we further aimed to compare these outcomes between nonhospitalized and hospitalized patients. Methods Demographics, symptoms of PTSD (Trauma Screening Questionnaire [TSQ] ≥6 points) and symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] ≥8 points) were assessed at 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms in members of online long COVID-19 peer support groups. Results Data from 239 patients with confirmed COVID-19 (198/239, 82.8% female; median age: 50 [IQR 39-56] years) were analyzed. At the 3-month follow-up, 37.2% (89/239) of the patients had symptoms of PTSD, 35.6% (85/239) had symptoms of anxiety, and 46.9% (112/239) had symptoms of depression, which remained high at the 6-month follow-up (64/239, 26.8%, P=.001; 83/239, 34.7%, P=.90; 97/239, 40.6%, P=.08, respectively; versus the 3-month follow-up). TSQ scores and HADS anxiety and depression scores were strongly correlated at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (r=0.63-0.71, P<.001). Symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression were comparable between hospitalized (n=62) and nonhospitalized (n=177) patients. Conclusions A substantial percentage of patients with confirmed COVID-19 and persistent complaints reported symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms. The prevalence rates of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression were comparable between hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients and merely improved over time. Health care professionals need to be aware of these psychological complications and intervene on time in post-COVID-19 patients with persistent complaints. Trial Registration Netherlands Trial Register NTR8705; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8705.

Physical and psychological reconditioning in long COVID syndrome: Results of an out-of-hospital exercise and psychological - based rehabilitation program

“…In the present study patients with LCS showed high values of anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances, in line with recent reports [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] . After the MDR program we highlighted high improvements in self-related anxiety and depression levels.…”

Erectile dysfunction after COVID-19 recovery: A follow-up study

“…We speculate that improvement of ED could be explained by gradual recuperation of physical competency. Apart from ED, other symptoms during COVID-19 infection, including mental health, anosmia and ageusia, were also significantly improved after three months of infection [ 34 – 36 ].…”

Functioning issues in inpatients affected by COVID-19-related moderate pulmonary impairment: a real-practice observational study

“…Moreover, it is key to note the relationship between CT-SS and "emotional functions", suggesting that an impaired clinical and radiological scenario might lead to anxiety, sadness, and anger in the acute setting. This issue has not been as well investigated in acute patients as it has in patients with long-COVID syndrome 22 and discharged patients. 23 Patients affected by COVID-19 complain of several signs and symptoms involving systems other than the respiratory system.…”