Psychoneurotic symptoms among COVID infected patients; case series study

Abstract

Introduction: After the initial COVID-19 outbreaks, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, prolonged multiple post-infectious symptoms have continued to develop. Those who initially recovered from SARS-CoV-2 virus continue to experience a worsening life quality and a delayed return to work, which leads to great burden on the health care system. Up to date research reveals that psychiatric illness is both a risk factor for, and consequence of, COVID-19. The aim of this study is to describe the psychoneurotic symptoms among COVID infected patients. Patients and methods: A case series study of 101 patients infected with COVID virus of different severity of the disease in Tikrit city during 2020-2022. The patients were followed for 3 months. Information regarding age, gender other diseases, signs and symptoms, and psychoneurotic symptoms also were documented. Lung involvement percentage was assessed by CT. The SPO2% was reported for the patient at resting sitting position. The blood fasting sugar was tested; for all patients diastolic and systolic blood pressure were examined. Results: The reported cases with neuropsychiatric symptoms was 101. Case sleeplessness was reported among 60 (59%), tremor among 31(31%), and hallucination was reported among 10 (10%). The auditory hallucinations were reported among 4(40%), olfactory hallucinations reported among 5(50%), and visual hallucinations among 1(10%). Males were more affected than females regarding hallucinations 7(70%), and 3(30%) respectively, and tremor 17(54.8%), 14(45.2%). Sleeplessness was higher among females than males, 33(55%), 27(45%) respectively. The age groups 21-30 years and 61 years had the highest percentages of hallucination 3(30%), 3(30%), while age group 31-40 years had the higher percentage of sleeplessness 16(26.7%) and tremor was high among those aged 61 years, 11(35.5%). These relations were statistically significant. Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms were reported as follows; sleeplessness, tremor, and hallucination. Hallucinations mainly affected males, while tremor and sleeplessness mainly occured in females. The patients who had hallucinations had high lung involvement measured by CT of the chest. The patients eho had hyperglycemia had higher percentages of sleeplessness, and hallucinations. COVID 19 vaccinated persons had lower percentages of sleeplessness, hallucinations and tremor. Keywords: Psychoneurotic symptoms in COVID patients, COVID 19 Psychoneurotic symptoms