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Mental and behavioural disorders and COVID-19-associated death in older people

Billy Boland1, Tim Gale1

  • 1Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; and University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Bjpsych Open
|September 4, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Older adults with mental health conditions may face worse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study suggests mental and behavioral disorders could be COVID-19 risk factors in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Psychiatry
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Established COVID-19 risk factors include diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease.
  • The impact of mental and behavioral disorders on COVID-19 outcomes remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between mental health service use and COVID-19 outcomes in older adults.
  • To determine if mental and behavioral disorders are risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of health and social problem ratings for older adults using mental health services.
  • Correlation of these ratings with COVID-19 associated mortality.

Main Results:

  • Older adults who died from COVID-19 had poorer health and social problem ratings, including mental health issues.
  • Pre-existing mental health problems were associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Mental and behavioral disorders may represent a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes in older individuals.
  • Urgent research is needed to confirm and address this potential risk factor.

Keywords:
COVID-19Comorbiditydementiamortalityrating scales

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