First-Onset Psychosis After COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been an inciting factor for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current literature on COVID-19 associated postviral FEP.

Methods: A systematic review was completed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and identified 81 articles that met inclusion criteria.

Results: Articles included case reports, case series, and cohort studies with postviral FEP occurring outside the setting of delirium, demonstrating a broad range of symptoms.

Conclusions: This systematic review shows that postviral FEP associated with COVID-19 follows a pattern similar to psychosis associated with other viral infections and is an important consideration when building a differential for FEP when delirium has been ruled out. Better understanding of postviral FEP associated with COVID-19 and other viral illnesses may help clarify aspects of underlying pathophysiology of psychotic symptoms broadly.