Covid-19 Pandemic Stress-Induced Somatization in Transplant Waiting List Patients

Bibliographic Data

ID15519976
AuthorsJolana Wagner‐Skacel (0000-0003-0771-4543, Medical University of Graz), Jolana Wagner-Skacel, Nina Dalkner (0000-0001-7716-3674, Medical University of Graz, corresponding author), Susanne Bengesser (0000-0001-8012-908X, Medical University of Graz), Michaela Ratzenhofer (Medical University of Graz), Nadja Fink (Medical University of Graz), Judith Kahn (0000-0003-2341-6386, Medical University of Graz), René Pilz (Medical University of Graz), Sabrina Mörkl (0000-0001-5034-6358, Medical University of Graz), Melanie Lenger (Medical University of Graz), Christian Fazekas (0000-0002-0943-648X, Medical University of Graz), Franziska Matzer (0000-0002-7646-6523, Medical University of Graz), Mary Butler (0000-0002-7877-2620, University College Cork), Eva Z Reininghaus (0000-0001-5964-4087, Medical University of Graz), H Müller (0000-0002-9691-4872, Medical University of Graz), Daniela Kniepeiss (0000-0003-1097-467X, Medical University of Graz)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages671383-671383
Publication date2021-07-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.671383
PMID34295270
OpenAlexW3182924483
LanguageEN
References cited40

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in widespread socioeconomic restrictions including quarantine, social distancing and self-isolation. This is the first study investigating the psychological impact of the pandemic on patients waiting for liver or kidney transplantation, a particularly vulnerable group. Methods: Twenty-seven patients on the transplantation waiting list and 43 healthy controls took part in an online survey including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-2), the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT-C), the 12-item Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQS) and a questionnaire to determine cognitions and beliefs, attitude and fear related to COVID-19. Results: BSI-18 Somatization was increased in waiting list patients compared to controls. Correlation analyses indicated a relationship between Somatization and the fear of contracting the coronavirus in the patient group; however this association was weak. In patients and controls, other psychologicial symptoms (depression, anxiety) correlated highly with emotional distress due to social distancing. There were no differences between patients and controls in depression scores and sleep disturbances. Alcohol consumption and personality structure were not related to COVID-19 fears. Conclusion: In times of the first lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients on the transplantation waiting list have high somatization symptoms associated with COVID-19 fears. As vulnerable group, they need psychological counseling to improve mental well-being during times of crisis

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test · Anxiety · Apathy · Beck Anxiety Inventory · Beck Depression Inventory · Cognition · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Depression (economics · Disease · Distress · Loneliness · Medical emergency · Pandemic · Poison control · Psychiatry · Social isolation · Somatization · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments