Patients with severe Covid 19 course appear to have a higher risk of later suffering from psychiatric illnesses. English scientists from University College London and King’s College London recently found this out by means of a meta-analysis.
Serious consequences for the psyche
According to the current study, people who have been treated in a hospital and given mechanical ventilation due to an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen often suffer from psychiatric problems after their recovery. The study results were recently published in the renowned journal “The Lancet Psychiatry”.
According to Dr. Jonathan Rogers, one of the study authors, focused the research team specifically on the potential mental health risks associated with coronavirus infection in a hospital. In addition, they addressed the question of how psychiatric illnesses influence the prognosis or do not allow people to find their way back to everyday life after their regeneration.
Disorders are diverse
The researchers found that one in four Covid-19 patients experienced delirium during the hospital stay. It is a state of mental confusion with disturbances in consciousness and thinking. The known complication can increase the risk of death and extend hospitalization.
Studies of the SARS-CoV-2 and MERS viruses, similar to SARS-CoV-2, have already revealed that long-term psychiatric consequences can occur after infection. Anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur.
This could also be the case with Covid-19. Dr. According to Rogers, the majority of Covid-19 patients will not experience any mental disorders, including those with severe courses. However, he emphasized that the global impact on mental health could be enormous due to the large number of people suffering from it.
Psychiatric problems with SARS and MERS
The current study included 65 studies and seven unpublished pre-prints. It was found that approximately one in three people admitted to hospital with SARS or MERS developed a post-traumatic stress disorder within the following three years. This was especially the case when there were chronic physical problems.
In addition, many patients experienced anxiety and depression. This was the case in about 15 percent of serious illnesses. More than 15 percent experienced other complaints such as chronic fatigue, sleep problems, mood swings, difficulty concentrating or remembering.
During the time in hospital, numerous severe Covid-19 cases experienced delirium with restlessness, confusion or impaired consciousness. SARS and MERS also showed such symptoms and thus provided the first sign of potential psychiatric complications.
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Risk group for late effects
The study also uncovered some risk factors that lead to poorer mental health prognosis. Worried patients were at increased risk of later psychiatric disorders. A satisfactory physical regeneration in turn led to good mental health in the long term.
While the majority of people with Covid-19 will not experience psychiatric problems, it is still necessary to examine what factors can cause permanent mental health problems. This is the only way to develop prevention and therapy interventions. Professor Anthony David, lead author of the study, drew this conclusion from the new findings.
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