EunKyo Kang1, Sun Young Lee1, Min Sun Kim1,2, Hyemin Jung1, Kyae Hyung Kim1, Kyoung Nam Kim1, Hye Yoon Park3, Yu Jin Lee3, Belong Cho1,4, Jee Hoon Sohn1,5. 1. Public Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. 4. Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. eliarde@naver.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this article is to assess the mental health issues of the mild condition coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to a community treatment center (CTC) in Korea. METHODS: A total of 107 patients admitted to a CTC were included as the study population, and their mental health problems including depression (patient health questionnaire-9), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder scale-7), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD checklist-5) and somatic symptoms (by patient health questionnaire-15) were evaluated every week during their stay. The stigma related to COVID-19 infection was evaluated with an adjusted version of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) stigma scale. RESULTS: During the first week of isolation, the prevalence of more-than-moderate depression was 24.3%, more-than-moderate anxiety was 14.9%, more-than-moderate somatic symptoms was 36.5% and possible PTSD was 5.6% of total population. For depression and anxiety, previous psychiatric history and stigma of COVID-19 infection were significant risk factors. For PTSD, previous psychiatric history and stigma of COVID-19 infection as well as total duration of isolation were found to be significant risk factors. Prevalence of depression, anxiety and possible PTSD remained similar across the four weeks of observations, though the prevalence of severe depression, increased after four weeks of stay. Somatic symptoms seemed to decrease during their stay. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that social mitigation of COVID-19 related stigma, as well as care of patients with pre-existing mental health problems are important mental health measures during this crisis period. It is also important that clinical guidelines and public health policies be well balanced over the protection of the public and those quarantined to minimize the negative psychosocial consequences from isolation of the patients.
BACKGROUND: The objective of this article is to assess the mental health issues of the mild condition coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients admitted to a community treatment center (CTC) in Korea. METHODS: A total of 107 patients admitted to a CTC were included as the study population, and their mental health problems including depression (patient health questionnaire-9), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder scale-7), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD checklist-5) and somatic symptoms (by patient health questionnaire-15) were evaluated every week during their stay. The stigma related to COVID-19infection was evaluated with an adjusted version of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) stigma scale. RESULTS: During the first week of isolation, the prevalence of more-than-moderate depression was 24.3%, more-than-moderate anxiety was 14.9%, more-than-moderate somatic symptoms was 36.5% and possible PTSD was 5.6% of total population. For depression and anxiety, previous psychiatric history and stigma of COVID-19infection were significant risk factors. For PTSD, previous psychiatric history and stigma of COVID-19infection as well as total duration of isolation were found to be significant risk factors. Prevalence of depression, anxiety and possible PTSD remained similar across the four weeks of observations, though the prevalence of severe depression, increased after four weeks of stay. Somatic symptoms seemed to decrease during their stay. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that social mitigation of COVID-19 related stigma, as well as care of patients with pre-existing mental health problems are important mental health measures during this crisis period. It is also important that clinical guidelines and public health policies be well balanced over the protection of the public and those quarantined to minimize the negative psychosocial consequences from isolation of the patients.
Authors: Geun Myun Kim; Jung Un Lee; Hae Kyung Jung; Soo Gyung Nam; So Hyeong Sim; Soo Jung Chang Journal: J Korean Acad Nurs Date: 2021-12 Impact factor: 0.984
Authors: Jangrae Kim; Yae Eun Seo; Ho Kyung Sung; Hye Yoon Park; Myung Hwa Han; So Hee Lee Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-19 Impact factor: 3.390