TY - JOUR
T1 - Recovering from COVID-19: psychological sequelae and post-traumatic growth six months after discharge
AU - Bonazza, Federica
AU - Luridiana Battistini, Chiara
AU - Fior, Giulia
AU - Bergamelli, Emilio
AU - Wiedenmann, Federico
AU - D’Agostino, Armando
AU - Sferrazza Papa, Giuseppe Francesco
AU - Borghi, Lidia
AU - Piscopo, Kyrie
AU - Vegni, Elena
AU - Lamiani, Giulia
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Clinical and scientific evidence has shown that a range of long-lasting symptoms can persist in the post-virological period. However, little is known about the psychological sequelae of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety-depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-traumatic growth among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic 6 months after discharge, and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with psychological outcomes. Method: This cross-sectional cohort study enrolled recovered COVID-19 patients during a multidisciplinary follow-up screening. At 6 months post-discharge, participants underwent a remote assessment with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. Results: The sample was composed of 100 patients, mainly males (72%), with a mean +/- SD age of 58.7 +/- 11.8 years. Regarding psychological symptoms, 34% and 24% of patients, respectively, reported anxiety and depression over the clinical threshold, and 20% met the criteria for a possible PTSD diagnosis. Psychological symptoms were associated with the presence of a mood disorder in the patient's clinical history and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Conclusions: A high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, potentially indicative for a mood or anxiety disorder, and PTSD was confirmed among COVID-19 survivors after 6 months. Anxiety and depressive symptoms and PTSD were associated with a previous diagnosis of a mood disorder and having received psychological consultation. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received psychological consultation. Tailored psychological interventions could help to elaborate the psychological suffering and foster post-traumatic growth after a traumatic experience such as COVID-19 hospitalization.
AB - Background: Clinical and scientific evidence has shown that a range of long-lasting symptoms can persist in the post-virological period. However, little is known about the psychological sequelae of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety-depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-traumatic growth among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic 6 months after discharge, and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with psychological outcomes. Method: This cross-sectional cohort study enrolled recovered COVID-19 patients during a multidisciplinary follow-up screening. At 6 months post-discharge, participants underwent a remote assessment with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. Results: The sample was composed of 100 patients, mainly males (72%), with a mean +/- SD age of 58.7 +/- 11.8 years. Regarding psychological symptoms, 34% and 24% of patients, respectively, reported anxiety and depression over the clinical threshold, and 20% met the criteria for a possible PTSD diagnosis. Psychological symptoms were associated with the presence of a mood disorder in the patient's clinical history and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received a psychological consultation after discharge. Conclusions: A high prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, potentially indicative for a mood or anxiety disorder, and PTSD was confirmed among COVID-19 survivors after 6 months. Anxiety and depressive symptoms and PTSD were associated with a previous diagnosis of a mood disorder and having received psychological consultation. Post-traumatic growth was associated with younger age and having received psychological consultation. Tailored psychological interventions could help to elaborate the psychological suffering and foster post-traumatic growth after a traumatic experience such as COVID-19 hospitalization.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Post-COVID syndrome
KW - anxiety
KW - depression
KW - post-traumatic growth
KW - post-traumatic stress disorder
KW - COVID-19
KW - Post-COVID syndrome
KW - anxiety
KW - depression
KW - post-traumatic growth
KW - post-traumatic stress disorder
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/229007
U2 - 10.1080/20008198.2022.2095133
DO - 10.1080/20008198.2022.2095133
M3 - Article
SN - 2000-8066
VL - 13
SP - 1
EP - 8
JO - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
JF - European Journal of Psychotraumatology
ER -