Psychiatric morbidity among patients with corona virus (COVID 19) in Basra city

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 presents a serious threat to mental health around the globe by elevating rates of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and negative societal behaviours.so many physical and mental consequences are expected to develop during and post Covid 19 pandemic including include: extreme fear and uncertainty; lowered perceived health; negative societal behaviours driven by fear and distorted perceptions of risk, including distress reactions (insomnia, anger, extreme fear of illness even in those not exposed) and health risk behaviours (increased use of alcohol and tobacco, social isolation); as well as mental health disorders (PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression).For the purpose of knowing and diagnosing these disorders and for the purpose of treating them side by side with medical remedial procedures this research tries to shed some light on the mental consequences of Covid 19 patients.

Aim:To collect, analyse and interpret psychiatric symptoms that may be accompanying COVID 19.

Method: The study is a case-control study carried out at Al- Basra Teaching Hospital in Al-Basra City.The study was conducted randomly in 100 patients who attend the COVID 19 outpatients clinics as well as who admitted into the infectious wards and 100 controls from general population, of the same age and at the same time period.Both groups (patient and control) were interviewed and their consent was taken before the interview.  And they were surveyed for the presence of psychiatric disorders by using a modified Arabic version of General Health Questionnaire GHQ, then The application of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders Edition (28) five (DSM 5) for diagnosis the most common probable psychological disorder associated with cases of COVID 19 which include: GAD, Panic disorder, phobia, obsessive compulsives disorder, Psychosis, Depression, Substance addiction. Data were entered into a personal computer using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 20 for Statistical analysis.

Results:GAD and depression were observed in higher percentages in cases (32%, 49 % respectively) than in control (16%, 32% respectively).Phobia, panic disorders, OCD, psychosis and drug addiction were not reported in neither cases nor control groups.This observed difference was statistically significant (P values <0.05). However, the overall affection although was observed in a higher percentage in cases, it did not carry significant statistical inference (P value > 0.05).

Conclusion: Covid 19 has caused a great burden on health not only on physical aspect but also on mental and psychological aspects. Our study revealed a psychological impact of Covid 19 represented by depression, anxiety disorders, and affective instability. GAD and depression were observed in higher percentages in cases than in control. Officer and students were most to be affected .younger age group was found to be the most prevalent of psychological impact.