RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Survivors of Intensive Care are known to be at increased risk of developing longer-term psychopathology issues. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression among COVID-19 survivors 1 year after discharge from an Italian Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study between April and August 2021 among 86 adults COVID-19 survivors in Lecco (Italy). The PTSD was measured using the PTSD-checklist (PCL), HADS scale was used to measure anxiety and depression. Chi-square test or Fisher exact two-tailed tests were used to test for associations and the multiple logistic regressions model to determine factors that were independently associated with the outcome variables. RESULTS: The mean PTSD, anxiety and depression scores were (38.6 6.3), (5.1 3.8), (6.9 3.7) respectively. Based on cut-off scores, the prevalence of PTSD (PCL ≥ 45), anxiety (HADs score ≥ 8) and depression (HADs score ≥ 8) were (n = 20, 23.2%) (n = 22, 25.6%) and (n = 38, 44.2%) respectively. COVID-19 survivors who experienced a decreased level of exercise post-ICU discharge were more likely to show symptoms of depression (AOR = 2.57; 95%CI: 1.31-6.85, p = 0.027) and anxiety (AOR = 3.19; 95%CI: 1.29-8.32, p = 0.021) compared to those whose exercise remained the same post-ICU discharge. In addition Older COVID survivors were more likely to show symptoms of depression (AOR = 8.2, 95% CI: 1.97-24.45, p = 0.001) and anxiety (AOR = 3.26; 95%CI: 1.12-8.1, p = 0.022) compared to younger ones. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that PTSD, anxiety and depression are common among the COVID-19 survivors in Lecco. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Nurses play a key role in the public health response to such crises, delivering direct patient care and reducing the risk of exposure to the infectious disease.