The impact of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress levels: a single center case control study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has been identified as a pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. In addition to its physical problems, it has also caused many psychological symptoms. The aim of our study is to determine the depression, anxiety and stress levels between patients with positive and negative COVID-19 test results.METHODS: This study was designed in Istanbul Atasehir Yenisahra Primary Health Care Center outpatient clinic at between Sep. 1st, 2020 and Dec. 1st, 2020. The Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21) scale was applied to 355 people aged 18-65 who accepted to participate in our study, who were taken to the isolation after the COVID-19 test. Patients' COVID-19 test results were divided into two groups as positive and negative and these two groups were compared according to the DASS21 scale. In addition to demographic characteristics, smoking habits, occupation, history of contact, symptoms during isolation period and hospitalization status of the individuals were noted and their effects on the DASS21 scale were evaluated.RESULTS: Of the 355 people participating in our study, 172 (48.5%) had positive COVID-19 test, while the remaining 183 (51.5%) test was negative. People who were positive for COVID-19 were found to have significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress than those who were negative. Significant differences were observed at different levels according to the DASS21 scale in women, singles, smokers, healthcare workers, those with symptoms and a history of hospitalization.CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we observed that people who tested positive for COVID-19 had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than the other group. In addition to the medical treatment of COVID-19 infection, we think that psychological support is also necessary for mental health. (Cite this article as: Kurtoglu Yakici M, Ozkan Demir N, Arabaci H, Mutlu HH. The impact of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress levels: a single center case control study. Minerva Psychiatry 2023;64:309-17. DOI: 10.23736/S27246612.22.02269-2)