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Psychosis and substance abuse increase the COVID-19 mortality risk

Ana Catalan1,2,3,4, Claudia Aymerich1, Amaia Bilbao5,6,7

  • 1Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Department of Psychiatry, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain.

Psychological Medicine
|April 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Patients with psychotic disorders faced higher COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization rates. Affective disorders were associated with lower mortality during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic posed significant global health challenges.
  • Elevated mortality rates were observed in specific risk groups, notably individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between pre-existing mental disorders and COVID-19 outcomes.
  • To determine factors influencing COVID-19-related mortality and hospital admission rates in a defined population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of electronic health records from March 2020 to March 2021 in the Basque Country.
  • COVID-19 cases identified via positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
  • Statistical analysis using logistic regression and multilevel models to assess mortality and hospitalization risk factors.

Main Results:

  • Increased COVID-19 mortality rates were observed in patients with psychotic disorders (adjusted OR: 1.45) and substance abuse (adjusted OR: 1.88).
  • Patients with affective disorders showed a decreased mortality rate (adjusted OR: 0.80).
  • Higher hospital admission rates for COVID-19 were noted in psychosis (adjusted OR: 2.90) and anxiety disorder groups (adjusted OR: 1.54).

Conclusions:

  • Pre-existing psychotic disorders were linked to increased COVID-19 mortality and hospitalization rates.
  • Affective disorders were associated with a decreased mortality rate among hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19hospitalizationmental disordersmortalitypsychosis

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