Psychiatric morbidity among SARS and COVID-19 survivors at 30 months post-infection

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19 are both highly infectious diseases that cause severe respiratory illness. This study aimed to compare survivors of SARS and COVID-19 and identify factors associated with long-term psychiatric comorbidities.

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult Chinese survivors of SARS and COVID-19 who had been admitted to the United Christian Hospital, Hong Kong. In total, 90 SARS survivors and 60 COVID-19 survivors agreed to participate, and their data at 30 months post-infection were retrieved.

Compared with SARS survivors, COVID-19 survivors had a lower prevalence of psychiatric disorder at 30 months post-infection (6.7% vs 33.3%, p < 0.001). Higher levels of anxiety and depression were independently associated with greater perceived functional impairment, higher average pain intensity level in the past month, and less use of rational problem solving.

Experience of SARS might be a protective factor to combat COVID-19 in the Hong Kong population. Potential treatment strategies include optimisation of pain management, physical rehabilitation, and enhancing effective coping strategies.