Predictors of long-term anxiety and depression in discharged COVID-19 patients: A follow-up study

Background: Patients who were hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) faced an extremely stressful experience that challenged their mental health and the long-term effects are not definitely known yet.

Aim: To identify both the course of mental symptoms (anxiety and depressive symptoms) and the related risk factors of recovered patients at the 20-22 mo follow-up.

Methods: One hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled. The patients were evaluated with a telepsychiatry interview and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Sociodemographic and clinical features were analyzed by regression analysis.

Results: The mean HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A) score was 9.08 ± 4.90, and the mean HADS-Depression (HADS-D) score was 8.55 ± 4.39. The mean HADS-A (P = 0.484) and HADS-D (P = 0.011) scores were increased compared to scores during hospitalization. Being over 50 years old, having lower financial status, and being vaccinated were associated with symptoms of depression (adjusted R ² = 0.168) while being over 50 years old, female sex, being vaccinated, and dyspnea were associated with higher anxiety (adjusted R ² = 0.245).

Conclusion: To prevent the deterioration of mental health, psychiatrists should play an active role in identifying emerging mental problems as soon as possible, more vulnerable groups should be characterized, and psychological support should be sustained after discharge.