DEPRESSIVE AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMS IN SEVERE COVID-19 PATIENTS: ONE YEAR AFTER HOSPITAL DISCHARGE

Abstract

Objective: The long-term neuropsychiatric consequences of severe COVID-19 are not yet fully understood. In this context, this study aims to describe depressive and anxiety symptoms in severe COVID-19 patients, one year after hospital discharge and to analyze the relationship between these symptoms. Methods: The present study is part of MAPA prospective project, involving severe COVID-19 adult patients (1st wave: March to May 2020) from the Intensive Care Medicine Department (ICMD) of a University Hospital in Porto, Portugal. Exclusion criteria were: terminal illness, ICMD stay ≤24h, major auditory loss or inability to communicate at the follow-up assessment. Participants were evaluated by telephone, one year after hospital discharge, with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9; depressive symptoms) and General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7; anxiety symptoms). Results: The final sample (n=55) had a median age of 66 years and most were male (69%). Depressive and anxiety symptoms were found in 20% and 18% of patients, respectively. Both psychiatric symptoms were presented at same time in 15% of sample. The most depressive symptom reported was: "feeling tired or having little energy" (44%) and "feeling nervous, anxious or on edge" (53%) was the most common anxiety symptom. It was observed that a higher percentage of depressive patients, also had anxiety symptoms (73% vs 5%;p<0.001). Conclusions: A clinically relevant proportion of severe COVID-19 survivors suffers from depressive and anxiety symptoms one year post-discharge. These results underline the need of psychological assessment and support for these patients, considering that long-term psychiatric symptoms can be present in these survivors.