COVID infections associated with numerous mental health conditions

New studies have found that people who fought against COVID-19 infection were at increased risk of multiple mental health conditions.

Among those who survived the first 30 days of COVID-19 infection, the risk of receiving a new mental health diagnosis or new mental health-related drug prescription was increased by 60% (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.55-1.66). Ziyad Al-Aly, MD and his colleagues at VA St. Louis Healthcare System in Missouri reported people who had never been infected.

This increased risk was primarily caused by an increase in mental health-related drug prescriptions, with an increase of 86% (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.78-1.95). BMJ..

Notably, the researchers said that even those who were not hospitalized for COVID-19 were clearly at increased risk for this new mental health disorder.

For certain new mental health diagnoses, COVID-19 survivors were significantly at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, including increased risk of generalized anxiety disorder, mixed anxiety disorder, and panic (HR 1.35,). 95% CI 1.30-1.39). hindrance.

Similarly, these individuals were at increased risk of depressive disorder, including both single episodes and recurrent major depressive disorder, and suicidal ideation (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.34-1.43). There was also a 38% increased risk of developing stress and adjustment disorders, including both acute stress and adjustment disorders and PTSD.

COVID-19 infection was also significantly associated with new substance use disorders (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15-1.26). This increased risk included an increased risk of newly developed illicit drug disorders, alcohol use disorders, opioid use disorders, and sedative or hypnotic use disorders.

After the acute phase after COVID-19 infection, people also had an 80% increased risk of neurocognitive decline. These individuals also suffered from sleep disorders that were classified as at high risk for both sleep disorders and new sleep-related medications.

People infected with COVID-19 were at significantly higher risk for some new prescriptions than those who were not infected with COVID.

• Antidepressant: HR 1.55 (95% CI 1.50-1.60)

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor: HR 1.54 (95% CI 1.49-1.60)

• Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors: HR 1.22 (95% CI 1.17-1.28)

• Benzodiazepines: HR 1.65 (95% CI 1.58-1.72)

• Any opioid: HR 1.76 (95% CI 1.71-1.81)

• Naloxone or naltrexone: HR 1.23 (95% CI 1.18-1.29)

• Methadone: HR 1.94 (95% CI 1.47-2.56)

• Buprenorphine: HR 1.34 (95% CI 1.12-1.62)

Al-Aly’s group also found that survivors of COVID-19 were still at significantly higher risk of new psychiatric disorders when compared to patients with seasonal influenza. Patients hospitalized for COVID-19 were also at higher risk than patients hospitalized for other causes.

“Survey results suggest that people who survive the acute phase of Covid-19 are at increased risk of a series of accidental mental health disorders. Addressing mental health disorders among Covid-19 survivors. That should be a priority, “written Al-Aly and co-author.

Ann Ancillary editorial It was noted that despite the important and consistent relationship found in studies between COVID-19 infection and increased risk of mental health, the association may eventually decline. Scott Weich, MBBS, MD, and MSc of the University of Sheffield, UK, showed that the study showed that group differences persisted for the first 12 months after infection, but the absolute risk of experiencing mental illness was after the first month. He said it had dropped sharply.

“Importantly, mental health care is more accessible than contemporaries without this condition, or among historic cohorts, to those known to have had Covid-19. , The estimates are further biased from null, “Weich wrote.

“The worst of the pandemic may be behind us in terms of mortality and social limitations,” he said, “many of the studies on the mental health effects of Covid-19 are from insights. Also represents hindsight. “

Weich suggested that the healthcare community not focus on the “symptomatic phenotype” of mental illness, but instead focus on effective interventions, including new clinical trials.

For analysis, researchers looked at data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes 153,848 patients who survived at least 30 days after a positive COVID test between March 2020 and January 2021 – 132,852 not admitted and 20,996 admitted. ..

The new diagnosis was based on the ICD-10 code and the new drug was based on prescription records.