Psychological Impact and Factors Associated with It in COVID-19 Patients of a Designated COVID-19 Hospital

Abstract

Background: One of the important clinical outcomes in COVID 19 patients is psychological impairment. We tried to analyze the psychological impact by assessing the prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and related factors in COVID 19 patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. An exit interview of COVID 19 positive patients was conducted at the time of discharge. A semi-structured proforma with socio-demographic variables was filled. For assessing psychological impact we used Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for stress, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for anxiety and depression scores. Ethical clearance was taken. Analysis was done using SPSS. Appropriate statistical tests were used to estimate the results of the study. Findings: A total of 114 patients were studied. 50% were native of other Indian states. 79% of patients had symptoms of stress on PSS while 30·7% and 34·2% of patients had definite anxiety and depressive symptoms on HADS. Multiple statistical tests were applied to compare the means of various psychological scores (stress, anxiety, and depression) w.r.t. different socio-demographic variables. It showed statistically significant differences in perceived stress scores w.r.t. age(p=·049), occupation(p=·006), and COVID 19 infection in family members with t(112)=-3·351,p=·001 while in HADS depression score w.r.t. occupation(p=·021), location of residence(p=·007) and COVID 19 infection in family members t(112)=-2·739,p=·007. Multiple linear regression was applied to predict the HADS depression score of patients based on their total PSS scores and HADS anxiety score. A significant regression equation was found (F (2, 111) = 43·567, p2 0·430. Interpretation: The notable factors were the presence of infection in family members, location of native place, age, and occupation. These factors may help health care workers to identify at-risk patients, who at later stages may develop anxiety or depressive disorders. Funding: No source of funding.Declaration of Interests: The authors know of no conflicts of interest associated with the publication, and there has been no financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.Ethics Approval Statement: Institute Ethical clearance was taken.