Published online Aug 6, 2022. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v10.i22.7832
Peer-review started: January 25, 2022
First decision: April 18, 2022
Revised: April 21, 2022
Accepted: July 6, 2022
Article in press: July 6, 2022
Published online: August 6, 2022
Patients who were hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) faced an extremely stressful experience that challenged their mental health and the long-term effects are not definitely known yet.
To identify both the course of mental symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and the related risk factors of recovered patients at the 20-22 mo follow-up.
One hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled. The patients were evaluated with a telepsychiatry interview and the Hospital Anxiety and De
The mean HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) score was 9.08 ± 4.90, and the mean HADS-Depression (HADS-D) score was 8.55 ± 4.39. The mean HADS-A (P = 0.484) and HADS-D (P = 0.011) scores were increased compared to scores during hospitalization. Being over 50 years old, having lower financial status, and being vaccinated were associated with symptoms of depression (adjusted R2 = 0.168) while being over 50 years old, female sex, being vaccinated, and dyspnea were associated with higher anxiety (adjusted R2 = 0.245).
To prevent the deterioration of mental health, psychiatrists should play an active role in identifying emerging mental problems as soon as possible, more vulnerable groups should be characterized, and psychological support should be sustained after discharge.
Core Tip: Coronavirus disease 2019 causes various psychiatric outcomes like other coronaviruses. This study aimed to observe the anxiety and depressive symptoms and related factors of recovered patients at the 20-22 mo follow-up. The goal of this study was to identify groups at high risk of anxiety and to raise awareness about providing psychiatric support to these groups.