Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Trajectories the Year after Covid-19 Hospitalization

Bibliographic Data

ID15499147
AuthorsRiccardo Serra (0000-0003-4105-5078, Policlinico Umberto I), Cristian Borrazzo (0000-0002-2346-898X, Policlinico Umberto I), Paolo Vassalini (0000-0002-6336-0455, Policlinico Umberto I), Chiara Di Nicolantonio (Policlinico Umberto I), Alexia E Koukopoulos (0000-0002-7004-5007, Policlinico Umberto I), Cecilia Tosato (Policlinico Umberto I), Flavio Cherubini (Policlinico Umberto I), Francesco Alessandri (0000-0003-3989-4964, Policlinico Umberto I), Giancarlo Ceccarelli (0000-0001-5921-3180, Policlinico Umberto I), Claudio Maria Mastroianni (0000-0002-1286-467X, Policlinico Umberto I), Gabriella d’Ettorre (0000-0002-3571-5677, Policlinico Umberto I), Lorenzo Tarsitani (0000-0002-1752-966X, Policlinico Umberto I, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume19
Issue14
Pages8452-8452
Publication date2022-07-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19148452
PMID35886306
OpenAlexW4285044463
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited40

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hospitalization has been related to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Available information is limited by insufficient follow-up and lack of longitudinal studies. Baseline factors (e.g., sex; obesity) have been related to PTSD, but post-hospitalization factors have not been studied. Objective: This study aimed to analyse prevalence, baseline, post-discharge factors and possible clinical courses of PTSD after hospitalization for COVID-19. Method: 109 patients (94.7% of the original sample) completed a programme of three follow-up telephone assessments during the year following hospitalization. Data included clinical and sociodemographic factors as well as psychometric tools assessing PTSD, social support, and perception of threat to life (PTL). Mixture model analysis was performed to study the longitudinal course of PTSD symptoms. Chronic (>6 months) PTSD predictors were also analysed. Results: 1-year PTSD period prevalence was 23.9%, peaking at six months; 11% of the patients suffered chronic PTSD. Pre- and post-hospitalization factors influenced the onset and course of PTSD over time. These included working status, PTL, and lack of social support. Interestingly, obesity, pulmonary diseases and family cluster infection seem specifically related to PTSD following COVID-19. Inversely, clinical interventions, older age and male gender were protective. Conclusions: PTSD following COVID-19 hospitalization is common. The analysed demographic, social, clinical, and psychological factors predict PTSD symptomatology over time and can modify odds of a chronic course. Clinicians could better identify cases at risk of a chronic PTSD course. Finally, treatment as usual appeared related to a better outcome and should be proposed to patients with PTSD

Comorbidity · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Odds · Odds ratio · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social support · Traumatic stress · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Internal Medicine