Anxiety and Depression Among Astana Reinfected Patients at 1-, 3-, and 6-Month Follow-Up in the Post-COVID Center

TL;DR

This study tracks the mental and physical health of post-COVID patients over six months, finding persistent anxiety and depression despite gradual physical recovery.

Contribution

The study provides longitudinal data on mental health and clinical outcomes in post-COVID patients over six months.

Findings

Anxiety and depression symptoms persisted in 17% and 21% of patients at 6 months post-discharge.

Self-reported fatigue decreased from 91% at 1 month to 56% at 6 months.

Pneumonia was identified in 73% of patients based on lung CT scans.

Abstract

We present the findings from an evaluation of 144 survivors who experienced post-COVID-19 complications or reinfection. The assessment was conducted at 1, 3, and 6 months following their discharge from an intensive post-COVID care center. The evaluation encompassed a comprehensive analysis of clinical life-critical indicators and mental health states. Based on lung CT scans, pneumonia was identified in 73% of the patients, categorized into four severity groups according to their health conditions: mild (26%), moderate (57%), severe (14%), and extremely severe (3%). Among the extremely severe cases, two patients succumbed to the illness. Self-reported fatigue during the acute phase was prevalent among 79% of participants, which increased to 91% at 1 month, decreased to 64% at 3 months, and further decreased to 56% at 6 months. The vital signs of patients, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate, gradually normalized over time. Anxiety and depression symptoms persisted in 17% and 21% of patients, respectively, up to the 6-month mark; even though during the acute phase, these figures were 15% and 13%. The limitations of this study include issues related to sample representation and the exclusion of hypertension data, which affect the overall balance of its findings.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04987853

Figures