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. 2022 May 21;19(10):6263.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19106263.

Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization

Ilenia Piras  1   2 , Maria Francesca Piazza  3 , Cristina Piccolo  4 , Antonio Azara  5 , Andrea Piana  5 , Gabriele Finco  6   7 , Maura Galletta  7
Affiliations

Experiences, Emotions, and Health Consequences among COVID-19 Survivors after Intensive Care Unit Hospitalization

Ilenia Piras et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Literature suggested that COVID-19 patients experienced hospitalization as a physically and psychologically stressful event, with the risk to develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study aimed to understand psychological experiences of COVID-19 survivors with severe complications during and after ICU hospitalization, and any relevant health consequences. From October 2020 to January 2021, a qualitative study was conducted in Italy via semi-structured interviews by phone or video call addressed to COVID-19 survivors, randomly enrolled among people who released their stories publicly on newspapers, television, or social media. Fifteen individuals (three women and twelve men with average age of 56.4 years) were interviewed. Four main themes emerged: (i) emotion of fear; (ii) isolation and loneliness; (iii) unawareness about the gravity of the situation as a protective factor; (iv) "Long COVID" as consequences of the disease on physical and psychological health. During hospitalization, 66.7% of participants had mild or moderate values of anxiety and depression. After discharge, 86.7% moved to normal values. The results suggest that long-COVID is an important problem to manage to improve patients' quality of life. It is essential to guarantee a holistic take in charge starting before the discharge and continuing care after discharge in the community where they live.

Keywords: COVID-19; emotions; health consequences; hospitalization; intensive care unit; long COVID; psychological experience.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Long COVID symptoms: consequences of the disease on physical and mental health.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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