Depression and anxiety in patients recently recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID‑19)

Abstract

Introduction

To evaluate the presence and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients who recently recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Material and methods

In this cross?sectional observational study, patients who had recovered from COVID-19 were assessed between February and April 2021. The symptoms reported by patients were evaluated using a questionnaire developed by the authors based on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to assess their depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Results

Of the 102 patients, 45 (44%) were men, and the mean age (± standard deviation – SD) was 52 ±13 years. The mean time interval (±SD) between COVID-19 diagnosis and the examination was 56 ±18 days. Seventy-eight (76%) patients were treated at home, while 24 (23.5%) were hospitalized. Fatigue, cognitive impairment (“brain fog”), breathlessness, and cough were the most frequently reported complaints. Median scores of the BDI, state-anxiety (STAI 1) and trait-anxiety (STAI 2) were 7 (interquartile range, IQR = 10), 38 (IQR = 13), and 40.5 (IQR = 14), respectively. Mild depressive symptoms were observed in almost 30% of patients. Women scored significantly higher than men.

Conclusions

Patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19 show increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, the intensity of which was more pronounced in women. From the clinical perspective, physicians should be aware of the anxiety and depressive symptoms of the post-COVID-19 syndrome.