The COVID-19 pandemic impact on prenatal anxiety

Introduction: Anxiety manifestations are one of the most described symptoms during pregnancy. Meanwhile , the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health and anxiety distress in particular , of pregnant and postpartum women remains unclear. Objective(s): the purpose of our study was to evaluate anxiety among prgnant women during covid19 and describe its associated factors Methods: It was a comparative cross-sectional case- control study in a Tunisian gynecologic department. All women were in the third term of pregnancy. Anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI).The datawere compared to a control group assessed in a similar study conducted before the pandemic in the same city. Eighty pregnant women was investigated during the covid pandemic and 100 pregnant women investigated before theCOVID- 19 outbreak in Tunisia was assigned to the control group. Result(s): Pregnant women during COVID-19 scored less on BAI than controls (15.49+/-9.223 vs 17.40+/-7.410). Less patients presented moderate to severe anxiety during pandemic (38.8% (n=31) than controls 51% (n=51)). The difference between groups in means and prevalence values was not significant. The negative results could be related to the low power of the test (P=0.36). Conclusion(s): Despite the expected psychological distress among vulnerable population , Covid-19 didn't impact anxiety prevalence or scores among pregnant women in our current study.

Smelling different after COVID-19 ?

Introduction: Over the course of COVID 19 illness, olfactory dysfunction was largely described as hyposmia and anosmia. What about phantosmia? Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore olfactory hallucinations among COVID 19 patients. Method(s): Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( phantosmia [MeSH terms]) OR (olfactory hallucinations[MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19 [MeSH terms]). Result(s): Smell dysfonction is one of the most revealing sign of COVID 19 infection. However, other symptoms particularlty phantosmia tend to emerge later in the course of the disease. Female predominance was noted among patients sufferning from olfactory hallucinations regardless to their medical history. An unpleasant olfactory sensation was the most described sign. The occurene of phantosmia was also described in one case of women suffering from schizophrenia whom tested positive for COVID 19 infection. Conclusion(s): Olfactory hallucinations are more and more associated with COVID-19 disease regardless to psychiatric disorders. The pathological mechanism remains unclear and further studies are needed for a better comprehension and management.

Schizophrenia in Covid-19 crisis : Is it a mortality risk factor ?

Introduction: Patients with mental disorders mainly schizophrenia represent a vulnerable population. In Covid-19 pandemic situation , could schizophrenia be considered as a significant mortality risk factor ? Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore the odds of significant COVID-19 mortality among schizophrenia patients Methods: Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( schizophrenia [MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19, mortality[MeSH terms]) Results: Our review included 4 population-based cohort studies covering the period from december 2019 to May 2021. The data showed increased mortality risk among individuals with schizophrenia who have had COVID-19. Indeed, this high rate of mortality maybe associated with multiple factors such as unhealthy lifestyle , low socioeconomic status and comorbidities as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The use of antipsychotics can be considered as a risk factor regarded its immunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, stigma and discrimination towards mental illnesses particularly schizophrenia might have contributed to a worse prognosis . Conclusion(s): Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder , associated with an increased high risk Covid-19. Thus, this population require enhanced preventive and disease management strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic impact on prenatal depression : A Cross-sectional comparative study

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the current world issue, with huge impact on mental health. More specifically, we expect that it will have a naocif effect on the pregnant women's mental health and their well being, since they are more likely to be hospitalized and require more intensive care units admission than non-pregnant women. Objective(s): The aim of this work was to evaluate the evolution of depression symptoms in the time of pandemic and their associated factors. Method(s): In the current work, we conducted a comparative in field cross-sectional study. We compared depressive scores and prevalences before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Tunisia in pregnant women. The sampling period was outside the lockdown period to avoid quarantine bias. The sampling period was from September to October 2020. Result(s): showed a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in expecting mothers during the pandemic. Multivariate analysis showed that the pandemic multiplied by 3 the risk of severe depression symptoms. The impact of the COVID-19 period on depression was independent of sociodemographic and obstetric changes related to the pandemic. Conclusion(s): These results highlighted the emergency of preparing strategies to avoid post-partum psychiatric disorders and to enable a healthy development of born. Screening the post-partum depression and assessing the mother-children early interactions should be considered in the up-coming births.

Covid-19 Barrier gestures for patients with schizophrenia: A therapeutic "dead end"?

Introduction: Since the beginning of Coronavirus pandemic, the world is facing huge challenges for the prevention of mass infection. Studies shows that wearing facemasks and hand washing seems to be the best protection from disease transmission. Indeed, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was efficaciously controlled in countries where mask wearing is respected. However, such recommendations may not be easily established with inpatients with mental disorders due to limited ability to embrace instructions. Objective(s): The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of facemasks and hand's wash among inpatients with mental disorders during coronavirus pandemic in a psychiatric hospital in Tunisia. Method(s): This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2021 among thirty hospitalized inpatients in a psychiatric department suffering fromschizophrenia. All patients responded to an anonymous questionnaire about mask wearing and washing hands status. Knowledge aboutCOVID-19was assessed by a 6-item questionnaire inspired from a Corean study. Result(s): Preliminary findings showed that most patients are aware of covid-19 pandemic and about barrier gestures but only a very few (less than 20%) wear masks. Inpatients with schizophrenia were in most cases not afraid from covid-19 contamination within the hospital and less that 50% were vaccinated. Conclusion(s): During a pandemic, psychiatric departments needs an extra attention because of the high-risk of spreading infections in inpatients with mental diseases. Communication has to be clearer, and repeated assistance by correctly reminding measures has to be implanted above all for patients with schizophrenia.

COVID 19 survivors : Feeling suicidal ?

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with several psychiatric manifestations leaving undoubtedly psychological consequences. However by escaping death ,do COVID-19 survivors present a higher risk for suicide ? Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore suicidal risk among recovering COVID 19 patients . Method(s): Our literature review was based on the PubMed interface and adapted for 2 databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar using the following combination ( suicide [MeSH terms]) AND (COVID-19 survivors[MeSH terms]). Result(s): Recovering COVID 19 patients are at risk for developping posttraumatic stress disorder , anxiety , depression and sleep abnormalities , especially in severe forms. Added to that ,cognitive impairment was largely described in COVID 19 causing judgment and reasoning decline. These manifestations would partially explain the suicidiality among survivors regardless to their medical hisotry. Nonetheless,many COVID-19 survivors experience persistent physical symptoms and psychiatric disorders leading to post-COVID syndrome which is associated with increased suicidal ideation and behavior In addition , social factors are considered as a suicide risk factor such as isolation ,loss of loved ones ,loss of job and economic instability . Conclusion(s): Over the course of illness , COVID 19 survivors may suffer from psychiatric and medical conditions leading to serieous suicide risk. Therefore ,suicide prevention interventions and appropriate medical management need to be provided to keep survivors alive.