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What Is the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Pre-Existing Mood or Anxiety Disorder? An Observational Prospective Study.
Tundo, Antonio; Betro', Sophia; Necci, Roberta.
  • Tundo A; Istituto di Psicopatologia, 00196 Rome, Italy.
  • Betro' S; Istituto di Psicopatologia, 00196 Rome, Italy.
  • Necci R; Istituto di Psicopatologia, 00196 Rome, Italy.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 57(4)2021 Mar 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1154449
ABSTRACT
Background and

Objectives:

This observational prospective study aims to examine the psychological and psychopathological impact of the pandemic stress on patients with pre-existing mood, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Materials and

Methods:

The study includes 386 consecutive patients recruited from 10 March to 30 June 2020 among those being treated at the Institute of Psychopathology in Rome (Italy) with an age ≥18 years and meeting DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) (35.2%), bipolar I (BD-I) (21.5%) or II (BD-II) (28.8%) disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (7.5%), panic disorder (PD) (7.0%) or social anxiety (SA). A total of 34.2% had lifetime comorbid Axis I disorders and 15.3% had alcohol/drug abuse disorders. Using a semi-structured interview, we investigated if the impact of COVID-19 stress for patients has been similar, higher or lower than that of their family and friends and, for patients with relapse/symptoms worsening, if there was a relationship between the clinical condition worsening and the pandemic stress.

Results:

Compared with that experienced by their family members and friends, the psychological impact of pandemic stress was similar in 52.1% of the sample, better in 37.1% and worse in 10.8%. In 21 patients (5.4%), the stress triggered a recurrence or worsened the symptoms. Patients with OCD had a higher rate of worsening due to pandemic stress compared to patients with MDD (p = 0.033), although, overall, the χ2 test was not significant among primary diagnoses (χ2 = 8.368; p = 0.057).

Conclusions:

The psychological and psychopathological consequences of COVID-19 stress in our outpatients were very modest. The continuity of care offered during the lockdown could explain the results.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Anxiety Disorders / Stress, Psychological / Bipolar Disorder / Depressive Disorder, Major / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Medicina57040304

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Anxiety Disorders / Stress, Psychological / Bipolar Disorder / Depressive Disorder, Major / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Medicina57040304