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Bota AV, Bogdan I, Razvan DV, Ilie AC, Tudor R, Indries MF, Csep AN, Marincu I. A Three-Year Cross-Sectional Analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:751-762. [PMID: 38476627 PMCID: PMC10929241 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s453247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study explores the longitudinal psychosocial impact of Long-COVID syndrome, also known as Post-COVID-19 syndrome, characterized by enduring symptoms after coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection, over the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. It aimed to examine the variations in depression, anxiety, and quality of life among Post-COVID-19 patients during these years, hypothesizing significant inter-year differences reflecting the pandemic's evolving influence. Methods Conducted at Victor Babes Hospital for Infectious Diseases and Pulmonology, Romania, this cross-sectional research involved 324 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19, assessed six months post-hospitalization. Standardized instruments, namely Short Form (SF-36) for quality of life, Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) for anxiety, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, were utilized. Results The study observed a consistent average patient age of around 55 years across the years. A notable increase in COVID-19 vaccination rates was recorded, rising from 20.9% in 2020 to over 70% in 2022 (p<0.001). Trends in key post-COVID symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues varied over the years. Importantly, there was a consistent decrease in feelings of sadness or depression, with scores declining from 7.3 in 2020 to 4.8 in 2022 (p<0.001). The SF-36 survey indicated a steady improvement in overall health, reaching 55.8±7.1 in 2022 (p=0.035). Both GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores showed significant reductions in anxiety and depression over the years, with p-values of 0.030 and 0.031, respectively. Factors such as smoking status, substance use, and the initial severity of COVID-19 infection were significantly associated with depression levels. Conclusion The findings suggest that despite persistent physical symptoms, Long-COVID patients experienced enhancements in mental well-being and quality of life over the studied period. The increasing vaccination rates might have contributed to this improvement. Addressing modifiable risk factors like smoking and substance use could further optimize post-COVID care and mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Vasile Bota
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
- Doctoral School, “victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
| | - Iulia Bogdan
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
- Doctoral School, “victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
- Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
| | - David Vladut Razvan
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
- Doctoral School, “victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
| | - Adrian Cosmin Ilie
- Department III Functional Sciences, Division of Public Health and Management, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
| | - Raluca Tudor
- Second Discipline of Neurology, “victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
| | - Mirela Florica Indries
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, University of Oradea, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, 410087, Romania
| | - Andrei Nicolae Csep
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, University of Oradea, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oradea, 410087, Romania
| | - Iosif Marincu
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, 300041, Romania
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Lau JTF, Ng JHY, Goodwin R, Kang TS, Fong VWI, Lau MMC, Yu Y. Level and factors of support for the Living with the Virus policy in a Chinese adult general population: a mediation analysis via positive and negative attitudes toward the policy. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1286596. [PMID: 38347928 PMCID: PMC10860402 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1286596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This study investigated the public's support for the Living with the Virus (LWV) policy, its associated factors, and related mediations at a time when more countries were considering adopting the LWV policy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A random, population-based telephone survey was conducted among 500 Chinese adults in Hong Kong during March/April 2022. Results 39.6% of the participants were supportive/strongly supportive of the LWV policy. Perceived efficacy of the control measures was negatively associated with the support and was partially mediated via the perception that the policy would greatly improve the economy/daily life of the policy. Perceived physical harms of the Omicron variant was negatively associated with the support and was fully mediated via perceived negative impacts of the policy. 26.2%/54.6% believed that the policy would improve the economy/daily life greatly; about 40% perceived negative impacts on deaths and the medical system due to the policy. COVID-19 ever infection did not significantly moderate the studied associations. Conclusion The public was split regarding the support for the LWV policy and whether it would cause better economy/daily life, unnecessary deaths, and the collapse of the medical system. Health communication is needed in shifting toward the LWV policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph T. F. Lau
- Public Mental Health Center, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, The Affiliated Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joyce Hoi-Yuk Ng
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Robin Goodwin
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Tarandeep S. Kang
- Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Vivian W. I. Fong
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Mason M. C. Lau
- Center for Health Behaviors Research, Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yanqiu Yu
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Health Education, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Ba Z, Li Y, Ma J, Qin Y, Tian J, Meng Y, Yi J, Zhang Y, Chen F. Reflections on the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102466. [PMID: 38116286 PMCID: PMC10728318 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a serious threat to global healthcare and economy. In order to curb its spread, China adopted the dynamic zero-COVID policy, aiming to diagnose and isolate cases and close contacts as soon as possible. However, there is a controversy about the impact of isolation measures on social order, including the economy, personal employment and public mental health. Therefore, this review discusses and analyzes in detail the advantages and challenges of implementing dynamic zero-COVID policy. Although this public health policy might cause a shock to the economy in the short term, China still achieved a continued healthy economic performance with stable unemployment and strong export growth. Moreover, the rates of infection and mortality in China were lower than those in the United States and the European Union. However, due to the high transmissibility and low pathogenicity of the Omicron variant and prolonged lockdown-induced psychological damage, people questioned the effectiveness and necessity of this policy. Now that China has adjusted its policy in a timely manner, but many problems still remain unsolved. Some practical suggestions in terms of mental health, vaccine development, drugs supply, and economic recovery are put forward at the end of our paper to minimize negative impacts and provide a reference for future efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaihua Ba
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yuqi Li
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jiao Ma
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yining Qin
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jinzhu Tian
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yixiang Meng
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Jiarong Yi
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Jining Medical University, 133 Hehua Rd, Jining 272067, China
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