Depression, Anxiety, and Insomnia among Older COVID-19 Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The psychological morbidities following coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection among survivors have been identified as a significant public health challenge since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging evidence indicates higher prevalence of psychological consequences among elderly COVID-19 survivors. The aim of this study was to explore the psychological morbidities among elderly COV-ID-19 survivors and associated socio-demographic and clinical factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study among older COVID-19 survivors (age >50 years) was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from October 2021 to December 2021. Patients attending medical outpatient department were screened for laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection in the past and they were recruited for the study after obtaining written informed consent. The study used a semi-structured proforma and rating scales such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for depression, anxiety, and insomnia, respectively. Results: The study results indicate that the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among 99 older COVID-19 survivors is 35.4%, 31.3%, and 21.2%, respectively. There was statistically significant higher mean of ISI total score (p=0.012) among females. There was statistically significant higher mean PHQ-9 total score among widowed/seperated/divorced group when compared to married group (p=0.006). There was statistically significant higher mean ISI total score (p=0.011) among patients who received oxygen therapy while admitted for COVID-19. There was significantly higher rate of depression among females (p=0.047), widowed/seperated/divorced group (p=0.001), and patients who received oxygen therapy (p=0.004). Conclusion: This study findings implicates that elderly COVID-19 survivors are at significantly higher risk for post-COVID-19 psychological morbidities and should be screened regularly during follow-ups for timely and effective management.