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. 2021 Feb 9;7(2):e47.
doi: 10.1192/bjo.2021.3.

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in COVID-19 survivors: online population survey

Samuel R Chamberlain  1 , Jon E Grant  2 , William Trender  3 , Peter Hellyer  3 , Adam Hampshire  3
Affiliations

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in COVID-19 survivors: online population survey

Samuel R Chamberlain et al. BJPsych Open. .

Abstract

This study examined post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 13 049 survivors of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, from the UK general population, as a function of severity and hospital admission status. Compared with mild COVID-19, significantly elevated rates of PTSD symptoms were identified in those requiring medical support at home (effect size 0.178 s.d., P = 0.0316), those requiring hospital admission without ventilation (effect size 0.234 s.d., P = 0.0064) and those requiring hospital admission with ventilator support (effect size 0.454 s.d., P < 0.001). Intrusive images were the most prominent elevated symptom. Adequate psychiatric provision for such individuals will be of paramount importance.

Keywords: COVID; COVID-19; Post-traumatic stress disorder; coronavirus; trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

S.R.C. consults for Promentis. J.E.G. has received research grants from Biohaven, Promentis and Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Relationships between COVID-19 severity and subsequent overall and individual-item symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (a) Difference in PTSD composite score for groups sorted by respiratory symptoms/treatment relative to the group that reported no breathing difficulties. (b) Percentage of people within each group who endorsed all ten symptoms as applying to them to some degree. (c) Individual-item analyses per group in s.d. units relative to people who reported no breathing difficulties. Composite and item score data are presented after controlling for potential confounders (demographic characteristics, medical/psychiatric history and non-PTSD-specific mood/anxiety symptoms). Error bars show the s.e.m.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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