Mood disorders after COVID-19 infection: a single-center experience

Abstract

Objectives
The present study aimed to examine mood disorders in patients discharged from the hospital due to Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19).
Methods
The study included patients who were admitted to Akdeniz University with the diagnosis of COVID-19. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist - Civilian Version (PCL-5), and Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories were administered to the patients at least 30 days after discharge.
Results
A total of 215 patients were included. The median age was 56 years, and 60.9%(131) were male. There was no statistically significant difference in mood disorders scale scores between male and female. However, there was a weak negative correlation between age and PCL-5 scores (rho: -0.157, p: 0.021). The depression scores (p < 0.001), anxiety scores (p < 0.001) and PCL-5 (p = 0.001) scores were statistically significantly higher in patients with respiratory symptoms at the time of enrollment (after a mean duration of 87.9 days following discharge). Married individuals had statistically significantly lower anxiety, depression, and PCL-5 scores. Beck anxiety scores were statistically significantly higher in patients receiving systemic steroid.
Conclusion
A substantial portion of patients with COVID-19 suffer from mood disorders after hospital discharge. Those patients with residual symptoms who live alone and receive corticosteroid represent a vulnerable population.