The Contribution of Psychological Distress to Resting Palpitations in Patients Who Recovered from Severe COVID-19.
Int J Gen Med
; 14: 9371-9378, 2021.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1572200
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Increasing numbers of patients have recovered from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. This study aimed to evaluate the association of psychological distress with resting palpitations in recovered patients.METHODS:
In this prospective cohort study, consecutive patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 and complained of resting palpitations were included. Dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) was continuously monitored for 2 hours while patients were at rest. A survey using a palpitation frequency scale and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered to all participants.RESULTS:
Of the 289 consecutive patients who recovered from severe COVID-19, 24 patients (8.3%) suffered resting palpitation symptoms, and 22 patients were finally included. Two-hour Holter monitoring showed that 18 (81.8%) patients had tachyarrhythmias, of which the most common was sinus tachycardia (17/22, 77.3%). However, patients with sinus tachycardia showed a similar frequency of palpitation episodes compared to those without sinus tachycardia. Anxiety (68.2%) and depression (59.1%) were prevalent among these recovered patients. Patients with anxiety or depression symptoms had a higher frequency of palpitation episodes than those without anxiety or depression symptoms. In addition, both the HADS-anxiety score (r =0.609, P<0.01) and HADS-depression score (r =0.516, P=0.01) were positively related to the frequency of palpitation episodes.CONCLUSION:
Symptoms of resting palpitations, manifested mainly by sinus tachycardia, are not uncommon in patients who recovered from severe COVID-19. Psychological distress (anxiety and depression) may be responsible, at least in part, for resting palpitation symptoms.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Gen Med
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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