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Is COVID-19 Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
Mathilde Horn1,2,3, Marielle Wathelet4, Thomas Fovet2,3,5
1Hôpital Fontan, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille (CHU de Lille), 59037 Lille, France. horn.mathilde@gmail.com.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|December 9, 2020
Summary
The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in COVID-19 patients was 6.5%. Initial psychological distress and intensive care unit stays predicted PTSD development, highlighting the need for mental health monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about potential long-term psychological consequences for patients.
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is crucial for managing patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of PTSD in patients diagnosed with COVID-19.
- To identify demographic and clinical risk factors associated with PTSD development in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study was conducted with 180 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients.
- Psychological distress was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-6 items (IES-6) 3 weeks post-symptom onset.
- PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) 1 month later, with statistical analyses performed to identify predictors.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of PTSD among COVID-19 patients was 6.5%.
- Key predictive factors for PTSD included initial psychological distress and intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
- While 33.5% experienced acute psychological distress, most showed improvement over time.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of PTSD in COVID-19 patients appears lower than in previous epidemics.
- Early psychological responses and ICU stays are significant predictors of PTSD.
- Long-term mental health outcomes in COVID-19 survivors warrant further investigation.
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