Prevalence and Risk Factors for Post-Traumatic Stress in Hospitalized and Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

Gunnar Einvik, Toril Dammen, Waleed Ghanima, Trond Heir and Knut Stavem
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Gunnar Einvik: Pulmonary Department, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway
Toril Dammen: Department of Behavioral Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
Waleed Ghanima: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Trond Heir: Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0450 Oslo, Norway
Knut Stavem: Pulmonary Department, Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: This population-based study assessed the prevalence and determinants of symptom-defined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a cohort of hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients about 1.5–6 months after their COVID-19 onset. The data were acquired from two mixed postal/web surveys in June–September 2020 from patients all aged ?18 years with a positive polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) until 1 June 2020, comprising both hospitalized and non-hospitalized subjects. The catchment areas of the two included hospitals covers about 17% of the population of Norway. In total, 211 hospitalized and 938 non-hospitalized subjects received invitation. The prevalence of symptom-defined PTSD was assessed using the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Determinants of symptom-defined PTSD and PTSD symptoms were analyzed using multivariable logistic and linear regression analysis. In total, 583 (51%) subjects responded at median 116 (range 41–200) days after COVID-19 onset. The prevalence of symptom-defined PTSD was 9.5% in hospitalized and 7.0% in non-hospitalized subjects ( p = 0.80). Female sex, born outside of Norway, and dyspnea during COVID-19 were risk factors for persistent PTSD symptoms. In non-hospitalized subjects, previous depression and COVID-19 symptom load were also associated with persistent PTSD symptoms. In conclusion, COVID-19 symptom load, but not hospitalization, was associated with symptom-defined PTSD and PTSD symptom severity.

Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder; COVID-19; cohort study; outpatients; hospitalized; intensive care unit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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