Predictors for Depression, Sleep Disturbance, and Subjective Pain among Inpatients with Depressive Disorders during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dian-Jeng Li,Li-Shiu Chou,Guei-Ging Lin,Joh-Jong Huang,Che-Hun Liao,Su-Ting Hsu,Frank Huang-Chih Chou,Wei-Tsung Kao,Kuan-Ying Hsieh,Wei-Jen Chen

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126523

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can have a negative impact on patients with mood disorders. The aim of this study is to explore the societal influence of COVID-19 and associated impacts on levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain among patients with mood disorders. This cross-sectional study recruited inpatients with depression and bipolar disorder. Levels of depression, sleep disturbance, subjective pain, and related demographic variables were collected through self-reported questionnaires. Potential factors associated with levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain were identified using univariate linear regression and further entered into a stepwise multivariate linear regression model to identify the independent predictors. A total of 119 participants were included in the analysis, of whom 50.42% had bipolar disorder and 49.58% had unipolar depression. Multivariate analysis showed that a higher level of depression was associated with female subjects, subjects with partners, present history of psychological trauma, and drinking alcohol. Sleep disturbance was associated with subjects with partners and drinking alcohol. A higher level of subjective pain was associated with a higher level of social anxiety and a history of psychological trauma. The current study identified several predictors of psychological burden and subjective pain among inpatients with depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further investigations are warranted to extend the application and generalizability of our results.

Highlights

IntroductionWith uncertainty of the disease and a massive amount of information published in the media, COVID-19 has resulted in general alarm in the public [2]
The aim of this study was to explore whether the levels of depression, sleep disturbance, and subjective pain among patients with depressive disorder were associated with multiple factors, including the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Sixty (50.42%) of the participants reported that they had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and 59 (49.58%) reported they had been diagnosed with unipolar depressive disorder

Summary

Introduction

With uncertainty of the disease and a massive amount of information published in the media, COVID-19 has resulted in general alarm in the public [2]. An online study revealed that COVID-19 contributed to anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbance in the general public [3], and another study reported that up to 25% of college students suffer from symptoms of anxiety [4]. Several studies based on the general public in Taiwan have demonstrated undesirable psychological impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another study indicated that a higher level of subjective mental health was associated with confidence about COVID19 [7]. The multi-dimensional impacts of COVID-19 on psychological health are an important issue

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