Distribution of acute symptoms and long COVID-19 and their association with anxiety and depression 2 years after infection

TL;DR

This study found that both acute and long-term symptoms of COVID-19 are linked to anxiety and depression in healthcare workers two years after infection.

Contribution

The study reveals a nonlinear relationship between long COVID-19 symptoms and mental health outcomes in healthcare workers.

Findings

Approximately 34.0% of patients showed long COVID-19 symptoms two years after infection.

Decreased concentration and memory were the most common long-term symptoms.

Both acute and long-term symptoms were significantly associated with anxiety and depression.

Abstract

With the continuing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, the mental health of infected patients is becoming a widespread concern. However, the relationship between acute-phase symptoms and long COVID-19 symptoms with anxiety and depression 2 years post-infection among healthcare workers remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between acute phase symptoms and long COVID-19 symptoms of novel COVID-19 infection and anxiety and depression 2 years after infection.

Using a retrospective cohort study and cross-sectional design, this study collected data on acute-phase symptoms, long COVID-19 symptoms, and their levels of anxiety and depression from 1,038 COVID-19 patients by questionnaire. We explored their relationship through logistic regression. We also used RCS curves to explore the nonlinear relationship between acute phase symptoms and long COVID-19 symptoms and anxiety and depression 2 years after infection.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of common symptoms of long COVID-19 in a sample of medical staff with COVID-19 infection. The study also aimed to explore the relationship between long COVID-19 symptoms and mental health status. The results showed that among patients who tested positive for COVID-19 by December 2022, approximately 34.0% exhibited overall long COVID-19 symptoms 2 years after infection. Decreased concentration and memory were the most common long COVID-19 symptoms, accounting for 12.5% of all COVID-19 patients. In this study, we also explored the relationship between acute-phase symptoms or long COVID-19 symptoms and anxiety and depression 2 years after infection. The findings showed that both acute phase symptoms as well as long COVID-19 symptoms were significantly associated with levels of anxiety and depression 2 years after infection. We also found a nonlinear relationship between the number of long COVID-19 symptoms and anxiety and depression.

In summary, the positive correlation between the acute phase of COVID-19 infection and the impact of long COVID-19 symptoms on mental health suggests that focusing on the mental health of patients recovering from the epidemic is critical. Effective psychological interventions should be part of the comprehensive treatment of long COVID-19 to help patients improve their mental health while recovering physically.

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