Dimensional Structure of one-year Post-COVID-19 Neuropsychiatric and Somatic Sequelae and Association with Role Impairment

Abstract

Abstract This study examined the latent structure of the broad range of complex neuropsychiatric morbidities occurring one year after COVID-19 infection. As part of the CU-COVID19 study, 248 (response rate = 39·3%) of 631 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 infection in Hong Kong completed an online survey between 3-2021 and 1-2022. Disorder prevalence was compared against a random non-infected household sample (n = 1837). 248 surveys were received on average 321 days post-infection (Mean age: 48·9, 54% female, moderate/severe/critical infection: 58·2%). 32·4% were screened to have > = one mental disorder, 78·7% of whom had concurrent fatigue/subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Only PTSD (19·1%) was significantly more common than control (14%, p = 0·047). Latent profile analysis classified individuals into P1(12·4%)-no current neuropsychiatric morbidities, P2 (23·1%)-SCI/fatigue, P3 (45·2%)-anxiety/PTSD, P4 (19·3%)-depression. SCI and fatigue pervaded in all profiles (P2-4) with neuropsychiatric morbidities one-year post-infection. SHAP: PTSD, anxiety and depressive symptoms were most important in differentiating P2-4. Past mental health and P4 independently predicted functional impairment. Neuropsychiatric morbidity was associated with past mental health, reduced resilience, financial problems, but not COVID-19 severity. Their confluence with depressive and anxiety symptoms predicted impairment and are associated with psychological and environmental factors.