Psychological Manifestations in Post-hospital Discharged Covid-۱۹ Patients: A Longitudinal Study in Shiraz, Iran

Background Most patients who are infected by COVID-۱۹ develop recovery from it, however some of these patients experience a variety of mid- and long-term physical and/or mental effects after their initial illness recovery. These mid- and long-term effects are collectively known as post COVID-۱۹ condition or “long COVID.” Aims We aimed to detect the prevalence of psychological manifestations in long covid patients. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, previously hospitalized subjects due to COVID-۱۹ were selected by systematic random sampling. A valid checklist was filled out by phone interview with each participant. Psychological symptoms were self-reported. Data were analyzed in SPSS software. Results Mean age of ۱۷۳۸ interviewees was ۵۴.۲ ±۱۴.۵ years. Median time of follow-up was ۳۵۲ days. Overall, ۱۵۲۶ (۸۷.۸%) had at least one symptom of LCS. Among symptoms; feeling of unhappiness or depressed mood (۱۲۰۱; ۶۹.۱%) were more common. Multivariable analysis showed that anemia (OR: ۳.۲۲, %۹۵CI: ۱.۴۹-۶.۹۸), diabetes mellitus (OR:۱.۹, %۹۵CI: ۱.۱۱-۳.۲۳) and those who were not the head of their families (OR:۱.۶۵, %۹۵CI: ۱.۱۸-۲.۳۲) were significantly associated with LCS. Conclusion Psychological manifestations are common in LCS patients. Therefore, psychological care for these patients is highly needed and recommended.