Depression in quarantined patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. (13th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guermazi, A.; Thabet, J. Ben; Zouari, A.; Aloulou, J.; Hammami, R.; Ayed, H. Ben; Sallemi, A.; Marrekchi, C.; Hdiji, S.; Gargouri, I.; Kassis, M.; Turki, M.; Kammoun, S.; Masmoudi, M. Larbi
• Is Part Of: European psychiatry. Volume 64:Supplement 1(2021)
• Page Start: S280
• Page End: S281
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13
• Subjects: quarantine -- suspected patients -- Depression -- COVID-19 pandemic; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0924-9338

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Quarantine for suspected patients of being infected by the COVID-19 can lead to negative consequences for mental health and the appearance of depressive symptoms. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of depression in quarantined patients, and to analyze the associated factors. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical survey, carried out from April 4 to May 30, 2020, with 149 patients consulting the COVID-19 sorting box at the Hedi Chaker CHU in Sfax. Suspected COVID-19 patients were contacted by phone during their quarantine and invited to participate in our study. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale was used to assess the severity of depression. Cutoffs of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represent minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe levels of depression based on PHQ-9 scores. A cutoff score of 10 determines major depression. Results: The results showed a prevalence of major depression of 10.7%. Of all patients, 89.3% had minimal to mild depression; 10% had moderate to moderately severe depression and 0.7% had severe depression. The PHQ-9 score was statistically correlated with travel to a suspect area during the 14 days preceding the consultation (p = 0.008), contact with a subject confirmed COVID-19 (p = 0.01), previous follow-up in psychiatry (p = 0.047), the change of residence during quarantine (p = 0.045), the fear of transmitting the disease to relatives (p = 0.00) and the positive result of the nasopharyngeal swab (p = 0.00). Conclusions: Psychological distress was felt in our patients. We recommend that necessary measures should be taken to combat depression.