Most cited: Comorbidity and Association of Posttraumatic Stress, Depression, Anxiety, and Somatic Complaints in COVID-19 Georgian Patients at the Beginning of Pandemic

Author(s):Giorgi Sikharulidze*, Levan Ratiani, Mariam Sordia, Elene Sikharulidze, Tinatin Khutsishvili, Khatuna Lejava and Eric Vermetten

Background: The global pandemic which the world has been facing for the past two years has demonstrated the need to study the effects of this virus on mental health. Various studies showed that COVID-19 could be a threat to people’s mental health and physical health, yet the findings are still very limited. The purpose of the study was to fill an existing gap in the corresponding literature by analyzing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, somatic complaints, depression, and anxiety in COVID-19 patients and studying their comorbidity to determine the impact of the virus on the patients’ mental well-being.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 took part in the study one month after their discharge from the hospital, accounting for 10% of all COVID-19 patients across Georgia during the research. PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) was used. Depression, somatic symptoms, and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).

Results: The results have shown that COVID-19, as a traumatic event, presents an association with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatic complaints. A high prevalence of depression (38,6%), anxiety (34,9%), and somatic symptoms (47%) was displayed. The overall indirect effect of PTSD on somatic symptoms was significant through depression and anxiety: 0.16, 95% CI [0.08, 0.26]. According to the report, the indirect effect of PTSD on somatic symptoms of depression was 0.12, 95% CI [0.05, 0.20].

Conclusion: The study presents important findings on the relations between COVID-19 and patients mental health. Somatic complaints, depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms were prevalent in participants even after a month since they had COVID-19. Correlations between somatic complaints, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were also demonstrated. Even though there are various limitations to this study, how COVID-19 could affect mental health warrants further, more detailed research, which is necessary.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3DCnIfS

Author: Bentham Science

Bentham Science is a leading publishing company in the field of science, technology, and medicine. Established in 1992, the company has grown to become one of the most reputable and respected publishers in the scientific community. Bentham Science publishes more than 100 online and print journals, along with over 300 eBooks and over 2000 reference works. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, and more. In addition to its publications, Bentham Science also provides various services to the scientific community, including manuscript editing, article formatting, and language polishing. The company is committed to promoting scientific research and discovery by providing a platform for researchers to share their work with a wider audience. Bentham Science's reputation for excellence is built on a commitment to quality, integrity, and innovation. Its editorial team consists of experts in their respective fields who ensure that all publications are rigorously peer-reviewed and meet the highest standards of scientific accuracy. Overall, Bentham Science is an invaluable resource for scientists, researchers, and academics who are looking to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in their fields. With its wide range of publications and commitment to quality, the company is poised to remain a leader in the scientific publishing industry for years to come.

Leave a comment

    • -