COVID-19: Psychological Impact after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalisation

Abstract

Background: Psychological consequences after a COVID-19 infection are more or less serious according to patients. Many risk factors exist and psychological support may be necessary to a better health care. Objective: Identify prevalence and risk factors of anxiety, depression, stress disorders and quality of life alteration after a COVID-19 infection. Methods: All patients hospitalized in the post-intensive unit care department after a COVID-19 infection were included, and we collected data’s concerning socio-demographic parameters, psychiatric disorders and clinical signs. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hamilton scales and post-traumatic stress according to the DSM-5 recommendations. The Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was equally used to evaluate anxio-depressive symptoms probability. Quality of life was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. IBM statistics SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Our study included 41 patients, with a mean age of 55 ± 18 (17 - 85) years, and a sex ratio F/M of 0.95. A minor to severe anxiety was found in 26.8% of patients and a depression in 31.7% of patients. The HADS showed a confirmed anxiety and depression in 24.4% of patients, with a previous intubation related to symptoms (p = 0.007). An acute stress was identified in 34.1% of patients with a higher prevalence in women (p = 0.052). A poor general health was related to older ages (p = 0.049), to hypertension (p = 0.01) and to female gender (p = 0.043). Conclusion: Prevalence of anxiety and depression after a COVID 19 infection is near on for three patients. Risk factors were older age, female gender, hypertension and a previous intubation. These psychological disorders lead to quality-of-life alteration needing a screening and a structured follow-up with a psychological support.