PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOMS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE SYMPTOMS: COULD PERIPHERAL INFLAMMATION MARKERS BE ONE OF THEM ?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In addition to respiratory symptoms, there have been reports of increased psychiatric symptoms in COVID-19 patients. In this study, it is aimed to reveal the psychiatric symptoms seen in COVID-19 patients. We also investigated the relationship between these psychiatric symptoms and peripheral inflammatory markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients were evaluated with "Interview Forms" specially created by the researchers for the study. DSM-V Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS); Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10); State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T/S); and finally Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to determine patients' acute and perceived stress levels, depression and anxiety symptoms, state and generalized anxiety levels, and how these psychiatric symptoms were affected by different social conditions. D-dimer, fibrinogen, lymphocytes, CRP (C-reactive protein) and ferritin levels were taken into account as inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Our study included 108 inpatients and 31 outpatients with COVID-19. The ASDS, STAI State Scale, and HADS depression scale scores of inpatients patients were found to be higher compared to outpatient patients. Increased fibrinogen levels in blood tests were found to predict higher acute stress disorder scores. HAD-Depression subscale and fibrinogen levels were also found to be positively correlated with each other. CONCLUSIONS: Stress, depression and anxiety symptoms accompany COVID-19. In addition, high fibrinogen levels may be associated with psychiatric symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms are indirectly affected by physical illnesses. We can say that a pandemic that causes fear and anxiety all over the world may suppress the immune system in individuals and the suppressed immune system may indirectly make the infection more complicated.