Abstract
Background
Studies have shown that COVID-19 patients experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress during the pandemic. Patients adopt different coping strategies to reduce their psychological distress
Aim
To compare the immediate and long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 disease on patients with and without chronic medical illnesses (CMI) and identify coping styles of both groups during the peak of COVID-19 disease in Egypt.
Methods
This is a cohort follow-up study, that included an online survey consisting of General Health Questionnaire-12, Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Brief-COPE scale. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist was completed after 6 months. Questionnaires were distributed to adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection during their quarantine in Egypt.
Results
There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding anxiety and depression during the acute infection. Patients without CMI relied significantly on the use of informational support to cope with COVID-19 disease. Patients with CMI continued to show significant depressive symptoms after 6 months without significant PTSD symptoms.
Conclusions
COVID-19 has similar immediate psychological impact on patients with and without CMI. However, patients with CMI continue to show depression on long-term follow-up.
Acknowledgments
Authors acknowledge Dr. Fiona Desira, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Maudsley Health, for revising the language of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflict of interest.
Funding
The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.
Data accessibility statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to the privacy of the patients.