A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITIES IN PATIENTS ADMITTED FOR COVID-19 IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NEW DELHI

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel Corona virus has impacted more than 200 countries. COVID-19 patients are frequently isolated and quarantined due to high infectivity thus adding to further mental stress, uncertainty, anger, confusion, stress and insecurity. It has given rise to various psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, fear of isolation, fear of dying, feeling of helplessness, insomnia and many more. The aim of this study is to investigate stress, anxiety, and depression in COVID-19 positive patients during the Corona pandemic in India.

Aims: To study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in patients admitted for COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi.

Settings and Design: This cross sectional study was conducted on 82 COVID-19 patients admitted in covid ward of Hamdard institute of medical sciences, Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital (HAHC)Hospital, New Delhi.

Subjects and Methods: The data was collected on socio demographic parameters and assessment was done using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) questionnaire in COVID-19 admitted patients in the hospital. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 16 version for Microsoft Windows.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.21 ± 12.23 years. 59.8% patients (N=49) were men and 40.2% (N=33) were women. Depression was more 40 to 60 years age group (12%). (P=0.333). Anxiety and stress was more in age group of 60 years and above. (14%) (P=0.313) and (14%) (P=0.011) respectively. Depression was more in females patients.(P=0.039) while anxiety and stress was also found in male patients. (P=0.014) and (P=0.148) respectively Anxiety and stress was more common in patients with less oxygen saturation while depression was more in patients with more higher oxygen saturation levels.

Conclusions: COVID-19 patients score higher on comorbid anxiety and depression. Mild to Moderate level of depression is commonly seen among female, married, less educated, middle age and above group and low oxygen saturation. Anxiety is more amongst male, married, less educated and elderly group and stress is more common in male, widow, tobacco smokers and patients with less oxygen saturation in COVID-19 patients.