RWD128 Exploring the Burden of COVID-19 on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Pre- and During-COVID-19 Pandemic Using Real-World Data

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on patients with PTSD and the burden of resource utilization in the pre- and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with PTSD between 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2020 using ICD-10-CM codes from Optum’s de-identified Clinformatics® Data Mart database. In the study duration, distinct patients were identified and further classified by age, gender, and location of service. To determine the influence in pre- and during COVID-19 for each of the stratification variables, a year-wise comparison was done. Chi-square was performed as test of significance for categorical variables. Overall we observed the number of PTSD patients increased by 7% (n=206,741) during the pandemic (1st January 2020 – 31st December 2020) vs pre-pandemic (1st January 2019 – 31st December 2019). A significant increase was seen across all age groups (p<.05). In the case of teenagers, PTSD was found to have increased by 22% whereas in adults and the elderly an 8% and 3% increase was seen respectively. When broken down by gender, a significant increase was observed. Females (+9% [n=143,032]) were seen to have been affected more compared to males (+4% [n=63,625]) during the pandemic vs pre-pandemic. In healthcare resources utilization overall, there was an observed 24% increase. For both inpatients and office, PTSD decreased significantly (-3% and -4% respectively) (p<.05); while ER visits, increased only by 1% (p<.05). A significant increase in outpatient and telehealth services was observed (122% and 454% respectively) (p<.05). An increased exacerbation in PTSD was observed during the pandemic with respect to burden across various stratification and resource utilization; especially in outpatient and telehealth services. Better treatment, psychotherapy and alternative care programs may be required to curb this impact and decrease the overall burden across various care setting.