During the course of COVID-19 pandemic, The respiratory system is the most commonly affected while many neuropsychiatric manifestations of the disease have been observed.

Emphasize the importance of eliminating the diagnosis of covid 19 infection in a pandemic context face to first episode psychosis.

Presentation of case report

A 29-year-old woman unemployed married with no personal medical history and with psychiatric family history. She wasn’t exposed to subject with covid 19 in her family circle. She was admitted in psychiatric care for acute behavioural disorders during five days. On physical examination: she was afebrile, eupneic and tachycardiac. Oxygen saturation was 96% and blood pressure was 100/50 mmHg. Specialized neurological examination was normal and cerebral CT scan was without abnormalities. At the psychiatric interview she was extremely agitated. She was distressed her speech was incoherent. She had auditory and visual hallucinations and a multi-thematic delirium. One day after her admission she died suddenly, the autopsy found positive RT PCR covid test and bilateral basal pneumonia.

In individuals presenting with new-onset psychosis in areas endemic to COVID-19, consideration should be made for neuropsychiatric manifestations of Covid 19 from where the importance to push the explorations and to test the patients.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical students in many ways. They are not exempt from personal struggles caused by the health crisis, and many have faced similar challenges adapting to a new learning experience. The University of East Anglia (UEA) has initiatives in place to support medical students including the society Headucate UEA and the Wellbeing Champions scheme established by Norwich Medical School (NMS).

Headucate aims to improve mental wellbeing by educational online webinars and social events aimed at university students. NMS Wellbeing Champions offer support and signpost students to resources and the wider student support system at the UEA.

Headucate was established in 2012 by NMS students that began running workshops at local secondary schools. Their work has expanded to include wellbeing workshops, social events for students and mental health first aid training, so members can provide peer support. Wellbeing Champions are medical student representatives responsible for completing mental health first aid training, communication between students and faculty, providing resources and signposting, creating mental health bulletin newsletters, and running socials exclusively for medical students.

100% of Headucate workshop attendees who completed anonymous feedback agreed that they enjoyed it and that it was useful. No feedback has been collected regarding the success of the Wellbeing Champions. This should be carried out to assess and enhance the project further.

More data is needed to establish the success of the initiatives at NMS and their impact on medical student’s wellbeing.

No significant relationships.

Covid-19-pandemic is likely to have a substantial and long-term effect on the mental health of the adult Hungarian population.

To investigate the self-reported change of loneliness, change in well-being, and change in the numbers of significant others due to Covid-19-pandemic.

Computer-assisted web interviewing is being conducted. Survey design uses a multistaged sampling and iterative weighting algorithm, both based on the 2016 Hungarian micro census. The sample can be considered representative for age, gender, educational attainment, region, and size of the settlement. Continuous variables will be tested for normality of distribution using the Shapiro–Wilk, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. To check the comparability of the two groups, the Mann–Whitney U tests will be applied. The cross-tabulation Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests will be performed to assess the association between categorical variables. Two-sample Z-tests will be applied to evaluate the difference between the proportions of the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression models will be also applied to understand the association between the direction of change and sociodemographic variables.

The survey is currently being conducted; results shall be presented at the conference.

The survey is currently being conducted; results and conclusions shall be presented at the conference.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the provision of mental health care. Particularly the limitations of face-to-face contacts and the access to treatment facilities can be expected to have significant negative effects on the practice of psychiatric treatment and outcomes. To date the extent and the severity of these effects in people with severe mental illnesses are rarely investigated in Germany.

We investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service use of people with severe mental illness in Germany.

As part of a pragmatic randomized trial on the effectiveness of an integrated community mental health care program that started immediately after the first COVID-19 wave in June 2020, 1000 people with severe mental illness from different regions in Germany have been asked for the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health care and on their general living conditions. Multivariate regression models were computed to estimate the effects of the patients’ COVID-19 experiences on the outcome parameters empowerment (EPAS), psychosocial impairment (HoNOS) and unmet needs (CAN).

Using prospective data in a large sample of people with mental illness, we will be able to examine the extent to which the pandemic has affected participants’ mental health, their social lives, but also the use of mental health care services.

The data will help to examine the impact of the pandemic on people with severe mental illness in a comprehensive way and will provide evidence where immediate action is needed to reduce further burdens and inequities.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated a health emergency and led to the adoption of different measures, including home quarantine and social isolation, which, as we have seen, has had an impact on the mental health of the majority of citizens, with the possibility of psychiatric disorders appearing. in people without prior mental illness, such as acute decompensations in patients with known disorders, more vulnerable to environmental stressors.

Learn and rethink alarm signals in extreme situations such as the one experienced in recent months, as well as observe the impact, negative in many cases, but positive in others, of the patients we treat daily.

Description through brief clinical cases of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychotic patients and the decompensation that it has entailed, including due to confinement measures and social isolation, associated with over-information through the media, chaos initial and the uncertainty that it caused and the associated fear.

Restrictions as a result of COVID-19 have played a very relevant role as an external stressor for the appearance of psychopathological alterations, including psychotic symptoms. In addition, people who suffer from psychosis or at risk of psychotic disorder can be especially affected and trigger acute psychopathology with social isolation, loss of daily routines, unemployment, homelessness.

These cases are an example that shows the need for an early and effective approach to the rise in mental illnesses in circumstances of this caliber.

No significant relationships.

The Covid 19 pandemic has had an enormous psychological impact in which women were mentally more affected than men (Berthelot et al 2020 - Liu et al 2020). More over it exacerbated symptoms and suffering in individuals with psychiatric disorders. The question is how did it affect individuals with autism (ASD). And if so, did it affect women and girls more that men and boys or differently.

To evaluate the impact of the covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in patients with ASD

a combination of literature review and assessement of the population of individuals with autism spectrum disorders in a large specialized unit for individuals with ASD

No seperate reports on individuals with ASD were found in the recent literature. Obviously the pandemic and confinement had great impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities amongst whom many individuals with comorbid developmental disorders as ADHD and/or Autism (e.g.Palacio-Ortiz et al 2020 - Guessoum et al 2020) In our population some remarkable outcomes were noted in the sense that a substantial part of the population with autism had positive experiences: e.g. clear social rules / less contact. Males enjoyed more online contact and games / experienced less loneliness - In females we found significantly more depressive symptoms, anxiety and suicidal behaviour.

Covid 19 has had a great psychological impact with marked gender differences. Remarkably in ASD men enjoyed some of the benefits of the confinement. In women with ASD the emotional impact was significantly higher.

No significant relationships.

Long-Covid or Post-COVID-19 syndrome develops during or after an infection with COVID-19 and continues for more than 12 weeks. The signs and symptoms are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are usually manifested as cognitive impairment (brain fog, loss of concentration or memory issues, etc.), headache, sleep disturbance, peripheral neuropathy symptoms (pins and needles and numbness), dizziness, anosmia, symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue. Patients complain of reduced quality of life and impairment on daily functioning. Although the burden of disease is high there is until now very few data available, the etiopathology is still unknown and treatment strategies are not established.

The objective of this study is to gather standardized data of patients with long-covid syndrome who suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms in order to better understand the complexity of this syndrome.

Patients were referred from the long-covid outpatient unit of the internal medicine department to our specialized outpatient unit, so that the previous infection was confirmed. A standardized psychiatric interview and a thorough neuropsychological assessment was conducted.

We will present preliminary data on psychiatric symptoms, neuropsychology and quality of life with patients with long-covid syndrome.

Potential treatment strategies to improve psychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms as well as improvement of quality of life will be discussed.

Daniela Roesch Ely and Matthias Weisbrod have a contract with Schuhfried GmbH (development of neurocognitive batteries and training programs)

COVID-19 pandemic is the most important health emergency of the 21st century. Since the high number of infected people and as there is still no specific therapy worldwide, the pandemic has been countered through the application of prevention measures based on social distancing and home isolation. These elements are known risk factors for the development of various psychiatric conditions. From a forensic point of view, these pathologies are related to a high suicide rate.

It is no coincidence that during the previous pandemics that have occurred in history there has been a significant increase in suicides. By this work, we therefore want to highlight the psychological consequences of a pandemic and the importance of preventive strategies.

It is important to focus not only on physical well-being but also on the psychological aspects that the pandemic produces in the daily life of each individual

If the infecting agent causes the death of millions of people around the world, the socio-economic context that is created indirectly determines as many deaths.

Therefore it is necessary to underline how it is advisable to implement preventive measures in order to significantly reduce deaths from suicide, a problem with an important impact in the social and forensic fields.

No significant relationships.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major sanitary crisis worldwide. Frontline healthcare workers face many difficulties, such as: direct exposure to patients with high viral load, physical exhaustion, reorganization of workspaces, face the unusually high number of deaths among patients, colleagues or relatives and ethical issues in a tense health system.

Provide up-to-date information of Burnout syndrome associated with exposure of healthcare workers to the COVID-19 pandemic, after almost 20 months of the declaration of pandemic by the World Health Organization.

A cross-sectional study was carried out that included 84 healthcare workers from Spain in October 2021, through an anonymous, voluntary and multiple response type online survey which included questions about sociodemographic aspects and the Maslach burnout inventory

62% were doctors and 29% were nurses. 70% work on the front line of Covid-19. 38% report not having been able to enjoy their vacations when they wanted. 8% admit to having had suicidal ideas. Almost 52% admit low personal fulfillment, 38.6% admit a high depersonalization count, and 45% report high emotional exhaustion. Of the total sample, 17 respondents have burnout syndrome.

It is necessary create strategies to promote mental well-being in health professionals exposed to COVID-19 after 20 months of active work. Protecting and identifying health care professionals who could be at high risk for developing a mental health pathology or detecting Burnout syndrome in them should be the priority of public health post pandemic.

No significant relationships.

The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency for innovative vaccine strategies since the best of vaccines cannot be useful if people do not accept vaccinations. The current situation suggests that vaccinology has been ignored in the medical curriculum and needs more representation in teaching.

What, where and how vaccinology is taught during medical studies in Heidelberg and development of an interdisciplinary revised syllabus and practice-oriented teaching methods.

Curricular mapping of courses on the topic of “vaccination”, defining new learning objectives for designing innovative teaching units in consultation with teachers and students, redevelopment and updating of teaching materials.

In preliminary work, an OSCE has been created by students. Initial findings on the status of teaching on vaccinations and related communication skills in medical schools of Germany with respect to student needs and the national guidelines on learning goals for future physicians are submitted in journal ‘Vaccine’. In collaboration with the elective track Digital Medicine, two tele-OSCEs, an online knowledge quiz on vaccination education and a corresponding evaluation tool will be developed in WS 2021/22. Students will learn how to create modern teaching methods and evaluate them scientifically, using a concrete and relevant topic as an example, and will gain an insight into teaching.

The findings will be integrated into the Heidelberg medical school curriculum (HeiCuMed) on a long-term basis by developing a comprehensive interdisciplinary module ‘Vaccination and Vaccines’, which can either be integrated into various existing courses (e.g. virology, medical Communication, global health, etc) or as a separate elective interprofessional course.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health globally, but the impact on referrals and admissions to mental health services remains understudied.

To assess patterns in psychiatric admissions, referrals, and suicidal behavior before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark.

Utilizing hospital and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) health records covering 46% of the Danish population, we compared psychiatric in-patients, referrals to mental health services and suicidal behavior in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to levels during the first lockdown (March 11 – May 17, 2020), inter-lockdown period (May 18 – December 15, 2020), and second lockdown (December 16, 2020 – February 28, 2021) using negative binomial models.

The rate of psychiatric in-patients declined compared to pre-pandemic levels (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.94 – 0.96, p < 0.01). Referrals were not significantly different (RR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.92 – 1.10, p = 0.91) during the pandemic; neither was suicidal behavior among hospital contacts (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.94 – 1.14, p = 0.48) nor EMS contacts (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00 – 1.18, p = 0.06). In the age group <18, an increase in the rate of psychiatric in-patients (RR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.07 – 1.15, p < 0.01) was observed during the pandemic; however, this did not exceed the pre-pandemic, upwards trend in psychiatric hospitalizations in the age group <18 (p = 0.78).

The pandemic was associated with a decrease in psychiatric hospitalizations. No significant change was observed in referrals and suicidal behavior.

No significant relationships.

Since March2019, successive waves of the COVID-19pandemic have challenged the mental health of frontline healthcare workers, who have been shown in numerous studies to be at increased risk for characterized psychiatric disorders. However, healthcare professionals who were not directly involved in the care of patients withCOVID-19 were often not investigated. In Morocco, the literature dealing with the psychological impact of the pandemic on backline health professionals is still scarce.

The purpose of our survey is to assess the stress, anxiety, and depression of health workers who were not on the front lines of care forCOVID-19 patients.

It is a survey developed on googleforms and disseminated via social networks targeting groups of health professionals in Morocco, during June2020. We used the DASS21 scale(depression, anxiety and stress scale with21 items). The results were analyzed using the JAMOVI application.

out of80 participants: 54%are men, 56%are aged between 31 and 40years old, 38%have been in practice for less than 5years of exercise, 66%are married, 41%are specialists 36%are residents and 21%are nurses, 44% work in psychiatric ward. Psychiatric symptoms: 64%have worries, 64% tired, 63% irritability, 59% sadness, 53% insomnia and 51% somatic complaints. 6.3%report substance use. DASS-21: 50%of participants have depression (7.5%mild, 26.25%moderate, 11.25%severe, 5%extremely severe), 48.75%have Anxiety (7.5%mild, 25%moderate, 8.25%severe, 7.5%extremely severe) and 30%report Stress (8.75%mild, 15%moderate, 6.25%severe, 0%extremely severe).

The high level of job stress during the early months of the pandemic exposed health workers who were not on the front line of care forCOVID-19 patients to an increased risk of psychological decompensation.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic can affect the mental health of health and social care workers (HSCWs) who are frontline workers in this continuous crisis. Following exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) that undermine deeply held moral beliefs and expectations, HSCWs might experience moral injury (MI) and deleterious psychiatric consequences such as depression and anxiety symptoms.

To examine associations between exposure to PMIEs, MI symptoms, depression, and anxiety symptoms. We also aim to assess the moderating role of thwarted belongingness in these associations.

A sample of 243 Israeli HSCWs completed online validated self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional designed survey in February and March 2021.

About one-third (33.6%) of the sample met the criteria for major depressive disorder, 21.5% met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, and 19.1 % reported comorbidity of depression and anxiety. A moderated-mediation model shows that high thwarted belongingness intensified the relations between exposure to PMIEs and MI symptoms, and between MI symptoms and depression and anxiety symptoms. Importantly, the indirect effect of exposure to PMIEs on both depression and anxiety symptoms via MI symptoms existed only among those with high levels of thwarted belongingness.

The study’s findings highlight the mental burden of HSCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and the contribution of MI to possible mental health consequences. Clinicians should be aware of the importance of high thwarted belongingness in depression and anxiety sequelae of exposure to PMIEs among HSCWs.

No significant relationships.

The global health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has put healthcare professionals in an unprecedented challenge, considering them extremely at risk population.

To estimate the prevalence of clinically significant mental disorders and to assess associated factors among Consorci Sanitari del Maresme workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We made a descriptive cross-sectional study. All workers were invited to participate in an online survey during May 2021. Individual characteristics and frequency of direct exposure to COVID during professional activity were assessed. We used three Spanish versions of psychometric scales: the Patient Health Questionnaire to evaluate depressive symptomatology, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, which detects anxiety, and the 4-item version of the PTSD checklist for DSM-5 for PTSD screening purposes. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

A total of 355 workers participated. Overall, 31% met the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (PHQ-9> 9), 36% for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7> 9) and 22% for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PCL-5> 7). It has been found that young adult, women, those with prior mental disorders or those with greater exposure to COVID-19 are risk factors for any current mental disorder.

There are large mental healthcare needs among healthcare professionals. There is a clear need to closely monitor the extent to which these needs are adequately met. In the design of measures and interventions to reduce this impact, an individualized approach should be considered while taking into account sociodemographic variables, psychiatric history and the frequency of direct exposure to COVID-19.

No significant relationships.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) could result in various medical consequences. Clinical manifestations are diverse and range from asymptomatic or mild, fever-like symptoms, to more severe and life-threatening complications. Although the clinical presentation was initially dominated by respiratory symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and sequelae have been reported in COVID- 19 patients and convalescents.

To describe four clinical case reports of patients admitted to the inpatient unit of Psychiatric Hospital Sarajevo (PHS) with acute onset of psychosis in the recovery stage of COVID-19.

In this case series we report cases of 4 patients, all female, mean age 53.25 years, hospitalized in PHS during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. All developed psychotic symptoms in the recovery phase of COVID-19. None had a previous history of psychiatric disturbances of any kind. All patients were diagnosed with brief psychotic disorder (BPD), according to DSM 5 criteria for BPD.

COVID-19 affects various organ systems, including the brain, with variable symptoms based on disease severity. Psychotic features have been observed as well. The pathophysiology and direct biological effects of the disease are not fully understood. COVID-19 patients and convalescents can develop psychotic symptoms as a consequence of multiple concurrent factors. Several proposed mechanisms include direct central nervous system infiltration, cytokine network dysregulation, peripheral immune cell transmigration, and post-infectious autoimmunity [1], treatments used to manage the infection, and psychosocial stress.

Clinicians need to be aware of possible psychotic manifestations in COVID-19 patients and survivors. Long-term follow-up is warranted to provide efficient patient care.

No significant relationships.

Imposing quarantine as a measure to manage the coronavirus pandemic is a stressful event that is often associated with negative psychological effects. Eating habits seemed to be significantly affected during the quarantine, while strong negative emotions were triggered as the feeling of loneliness increased at the same time.

This study aims to investigate the eating habits of individuals during quarantine and the role of positive and negative emotions and loneliness in shaping these habits.

An online cross-sectional study was performed using 3 validated scales, EAT-26 (3 subscales: Dieting, Bulimia and Food Preoccupation, Oral Control), Modified Differential Emotions Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale. Data was collected between April and May 2021 mainly from social media platforms. Statistical analyses included linear regression and mediation analyses.

Abnormal eating habits were detected in 25% of the participants (N= 450, ages 18-74) while the majority reported medium rates of negative/positive emotions and loneliness. Female sex is associated with abnormal eating habits (p=0.010) and mainly dietary behaviors (p=0.029). Negative emotions (p=0.032) and loneliness (p=0.001) seem to be predictive factors of eating habits in general and bulimic behaviors. Negative emotions correlate directly with eating habits. However, we found a significant mediation of loneliness (p=0.032). Furthermore, the observed association between negative emotions and bulimia is partly mediated by loneliness (p=0.018).

Negative emotions and loneliness seemed to play an important role in shaping eating habits during quarantine. Multilevel public health interventions are needed to address the negative effects of quarantine and pandemic in general.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic seems associated with a worsening in mental health issues as well as a widening of pre-existing social and health inequalities. Assessment of its impact on suicidal behavior might therefore be relevant.

To assess factors associated with suicidal ideation in the general population, using data from the French nationwide Epicov study

In the nationally representative Epicov study, data on occurrence of suicidal ideation from November 2019 to November 2020 were available, including timing with respect to France’s lockdown periods. We studied the incidence of suicidal ideation among participants without a prior history of suicidal behavior, after May 11, 2020, when first COVID-19 related lockdown was suspended. Studied factors assessed sociodemographic and health status, including mental health, as well as COVID-19 related information such as symptom. Associations between selected factors and suicidal ideation were assessed in sex-stratified adjusted logistic regression models.

In the Epicov study, prevalence of suicidal ideation was of 2,9%, as opposed to around 4% pre-pandemic. Among 48 702 female and 41 016 male participants, health or financial issues were associated with a higher incidence of suicidal ideation. Interestingly, Covid19-like symptoms were also associated with higher risk of suicidal ideation. While an impaired mental health has been observed in survivors of past pandemics, given the unprecedented context of the current pandemic, this association needs further investigation.

While the COVID-19 pandemic might have lowered suicidal ideation, it’s aftermaths may reverse the trend. To prevent this rise, identification of vulnerable groups is crucial to promote tailored public health strategies.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 is a multifaceted disease establishing differences in terms of its occurrence, manner of clinical presentation and disease predilection. While mental health becomes one of the less analyzed aspects, addressing anxiety and depression allows clinicians to provide more patient-centered care in this pandemic era.

This study determined the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among patients admitted for at least 14 days at COVID wards of East Avenue Medical using the validated Filipino version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-P), and described the socioeconomic, psychosocial, clinical factors affecting its development among COVID-19 patients.

232 patients admitted at COVID ward of East Avenue Medical Center for at least 14 days were included in the study. Participants were interviewed using the validated Filipino version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (HADS-P) questionnaire. STATA 13.1 was used for data analysis at 95% confidence interval

Anxiety was significantly correlated with hypertension (p= 0.044), diabetes (p= 0.008), employment status (p= 0.038), and with patients who had family members with COVID- 19 (p= 0.033). Depressive symptoms occurred more likely in Chronic Kidney Disease and in COVID-19 suspects. Most participants had a normal HADS-P anxiety (6) and depression (4) median scores. Mild symptoms of anxiety (n=55) and depression (n=30) were noted among participants. The severity of COVID-19 classification was a statistically significant variable for developing anxiety symptoms.

Identifying predictors of developing anxiety and depressive symptoms enables us to develop better strategies in addressing mental health as one of the important aspects of patient management during this pandemic.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic have had deleterious effects on mental health of students. Authors suggest that the psychological effects will persist long after COVID-19 has peaked, but we have no data to confirm this.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare clinical issues (concerns, anxiety and depression symptoms) and adjustment (coping strategies) in French university students during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 (during two periods of lockdown and two periods after lockdown)

Method: Data were collected anonymously at four timepoints: during France’s first national lockdown (23 April- 8 May 2020; nT1 = 1294); during the period after lockdown (9‑23 June 2020; nT2 = 321); 1 year after the first lockdown, which was also a lockdown period (23 April- 8 May 2021; nT3 = 2357); and 1 year after the first unlockdown, which was also a unlockdown period (9‑23 June 2021, nT4 = 1174). The following variables were measured: concerns, coping strategies, anxiety and depressive symptoms.

In 2021, students have significantly higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms than in 2020, and this is even more pronounced during the lockdown periods. For example, 44.1% had probable anxiety symptoms in the 2021 lockdown, compared to 33% in the 2020 lockdown. In the unlockdown periods, the rates are 21.7% in 2020 and 26.4% in 2021.

Our results suggest that university students, known to be a vulnerable population with significant mental health deterioration, have become even more vulnerable with the COVID-19 pandemic.

No significant relationships.

Evidence suggest that critically ill COVID-19 patients are at higher risk of developing anxiety symptoms, which may be related to or exacerbated by patients concerns regarding their health status and recovery.

To assess anxiety symptoms in critically ill COVID-19 survivors, 1-2 months after hospital discharge and to analyze its association with concerns reported by patients regarding their own health status and recovery.

In the framework of MAPA prospective research, this preliminary study included COVID-19 patients admitted in the Intensive Care Medicine Department (ICMD) of a University Hospital. Patients were excluded if they had an ICMD length of stay (LoS) ≤24h, terminal illness, major auditory impairment or inability to communicate at the evaluation time. Participants were assessed at a scheduled telephone follow-up appointment, with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Additional questions were asked to assess the survivors’ post-discharge concerns regarding discrimination against for COVID-19, infection of a family member, re-infection or sequelae related to COVID-19.

Eighty-three patients were included (median age=63 years; 63% male) and 24% had anxiety symptoms. Anxiety scores were higher in survivors who reported being afraid of being discriminated against for COVID-19 (30% vs 10%; p=0.034), being re-infected (100% vs 79%; p=0.032) and having sequelae (94% vs 44%; p<0.001).

These findings revealed that anxiety is common in COVID-19 survivors and is associated with post-discharge patients concerns that may limit patient daily living. This study emphasizes the importance of psychological assessment and follow-up of the COVID-19 survivors, in order to support these patients recovery.

No significant relationships.