“Our analysis focuses on potential mental health risks associated with coronavirus infection in hospital and how psychiatric illnesses could worsen the prognosis or prevent people from returning to normal life after recovery,” explains Dr.
Jonathan Rogers, one of the study authors.
Researchers from University College London and King’s College London showed that people who were hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection are at increased risk of post-recovery psychiatric problems.
The results were recently presented in the renowned journal “The Lancet Psychiatry”.
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Severe COVID-19 infections with intensive care units and mechanical ventilation could increase the risk of serious psychiatric complications.
This is the result of a current meta-analysis by an English research team.
Delirium often occurs in severe COVID-19 cases
Severe COVID-19 courses increase the risk of psychiatric problems
The analysis showed that one in four people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 experienced delirium during the course of the disease.
This state of mental confusion, which is characterized primarily by disturbances in consciousness and thinking, is a known problem that can increase the risk of death or prolong hospitalization.
Studies of the similar viruses SARS-1 and MERS have already shown that long-term psychiatric consequences can occur after the illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety.
The researchers suggest that this can also apply to COVID-19.
Severe SARS-CoV-2 infections hit the psyche
“Most people with COVID-19 will not develop mental health problems, including those with severe cases that require hospitalization, but given the large number of people who get sick, the global mental health impact could be significant.” , emphasizes Dr.
Rogers.
The rates of depression and anxiety were also high.
Around 15 percent of the seriously ill developed an anxiety disorder or depression after the infection.
Symptoms such as chronic fatigue, mood swings, sleep disorders or problems with concentration and memory occurred in more than 15 percent of those affected.
The results of a total of 65 studies and seven unsupervised preprints were taken into account in the study.
It was found that almost one in three people admitted to the hospital with SARS or MERS developed post-traumatic stress disorder within three years after the illness, especially if there were persistent physical health problems.
The research also identified some of the risk factors associated with poorer mental health forecasts.
Particularly worried patients had an increased risk of psychiatric consequences.
On the other hand, good physical recovery was associated with better long-term mental health.
“We need more research on how we can prevent mental health problems in the long term,” adds Dr.
Edward Chesney from the study team.
One way could be to reduce social isolation by allowing those affected to communicate with their loved ones via video telephony.
During the hospital stay, many COVID-19 sufferers with severe courses experienced delirium with symptoms such as confusion, restlessness and impaired consciousness.
These symptoms also occurred in SARS and MERS, and were a first indication of possible psychiatric consequences.
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