Older adults with COVID-19 show higher risk for new-onset dementia, study finds
In this photo illustration, a health worker wearing gloves holding a test sample tubes labeled 'COVID-19 Omicron variant' in front of a display. More than 150 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in India.
Mental health symptoms and burdens after a SARS-CoV-2 infection - BMC Public Health
Background Previous studies have found adverse effects on mental health following infection with SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates whether mental health is also impaired in unknowingly infected individuals. In addition, the relevance of the severity of the infection and the time since the onset of infection were analyzed. Methods Data from the population-representative Gutenberg COVID-19 Study (GCS) were used (N = 2,267). SARS-CoV-2 infection was determined multimodally by self-report, throat swabs (acute infections) and antibody measurements (previous infections). Participants completed self-report questionnaires on mental health. Results Neither unknowing nor knowing SARS-CoV-2 infection had an impact on mental health. However, symptom severity and previous depression or anxiety predicted higher levels of depressiveness, anxiety and somatic complaints. Our results confirm findings suggesting that the severity of the initial infection and previous mental illness, but not knowledge of the infection, are the most important predictors of negative mental health outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion The results suggest that mental health care should focus on individuals who suffer from a severe acute COVID-19 infection or have a history of mental illness.
Micro-Factors May Explain the Connection Between COVID-19, Schizophrenia
Patients with schizophrenia and COVID-19 both present dysregulated energy metabolism, explaining the high COVID-19 rates among those with schizophrenia.
Insight into potential Long COVID effects: antidepressant use in post SARS-CoV-2 Infection scenarios. A Multiregional Nested Case-Control Study
This study aimed to investigate the impact of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the role of vaccination in the onset of neuropsychiatric conditions, e…
How to ethically approach ‘Zoom dysmorphia’ in aesthetically-inclined patients
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic linger as patients continue to battle cosmetic insecurities associated with working from home, according to an entry in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Ethics Journal Club.In answering a dermatologist’s question about navigating a patient’s request for cosmetic procedures because of looking “ugly on Zoom,” Shari
Long COVID Creates Lasting Challenges For Survivors
The emergence of long COVID as a significant health issue has prompted the medical community to explore its varied and complex effects on individuals who have survived…
Mounting research shows that COVID-19 leaves its mark on the brain, including significant drops in IQ scores
The Journal of Science and the New England Journal of Medicine say long-COVID has led to not only brain fog, but also headaches, seizure disorders, strokes, sleep problems, and tingling and paralysis of the nerves.
Long COVID Prevalence and Neuropsychiatric Risk Associated with Delta Variant
The following is a summary of “Protective role of vaccination on the development of long COVID: data from a large, multicenter, prospective cohort study,” published in the November 2024 issue of Infectious Disease by Gennaro et al. Long COVID, a diverse syndrome impacting millions globally, presents an urgent public health challenge, with limited data on
Common mental disorders and associated factors among adults after COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis - BMC Psychiatry
Background Global mental health has been threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, both directly through long-lasting neuropsychiatric disorders that occur during primary infection in affected individuals and indirectly through stressful and disruptive societal changes. Thus, this study determined the pooled prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among adults after COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using primary published and unpublished studies that were retrieved from various databases. Studies conducted on adults, published in English, and conducted in Ethiopia were included in this review. A standardized data extraction format developed from Excel was used to collect the data. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled effect size of all included studies at a 95% confidence interval. The heterogeneity was evaluated by Cochran Q test and the I-squared. Funnel plot and egger tests were used to determine publication bias. Results A total of 20 studies were eligible for this systematic review. The pooled prevalence of common mental disorders among adults was 40.44% (95%CI: 31.86–49.02%). Female gender (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.33–2.44), unemployed (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.12–2.98), poor social support (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.08–4.17), substance use (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.58–3.41), history of mental illness (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.01–2.44), family history of mental illness (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.54–3.41), and chronic medical illness (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI:1.02–2.17) were risk factors for common mental disorders. Conclusion In this study, more than one-third of adults were affected by common mental disorders after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This indicated that, in order to reduce the prevalence of common mental disorders, enhancing the provision of mental health services should be improved after the COVID-19 pandemic. Screening for common mental disorders should be given, especially to females, unemployed people, substance users, chronic medically ill people, those with a history of mental illnesses, and those with a family history of mental illness. Strengthening social support during the COVID-19 pandemic is also important. PROSPERO protocol registration The registration ID for this systematic review is CRD42024496826.
From infected to recovered: the mediating role of sleep quality between self-compassion, social support and COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms - BMC Public Health
Background Recent research has shown significant individual differences in COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms. However, there has been a lack of studies investigating the influence of physical and psychological factors on these symptoms and their underlying mechanisms. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the predictive role of self-compassion and social support on COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms, as well as the potential mediating role of sleep quality. Methods Data were collected from 636 participants infected with COVID-19 during the early post-pandemic reopening phase in China. The measurement tools used in the current study included the Self-Compassion Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, Self-Rating Scale of Sleep, and a COVID-19 Psychosomatic Symptom Diary. Results A structural equation model revealed that: (1) social support directly predicts COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms; (2) sleep quality fully mediates the relationship between self-compassion and COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms; and (3) sleep quality partially mediates the relationship between social support and COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms. Conclusions These findings not only confirm previous research but also provide new insights into the intricate interplay between psychological and physical factors and their influence on COVID-19 psychosomatic symptoms. The implications of these findings may inform the development of targeted rehabilitation programs in the post-pandemic era of the “new normal”. Clinical trial number Not applicable.
Nursing aides plagued by PTSD after 'nightmare' COVID conditions, with little help
Some of the lowest-paid essential workers during the pandemic also suffered the most trauma. Nursing aides have had trouble getting healthcare officials to pay attention to their plight.
Breaking the Cycle: Long COVID's Impact and the Urgent Need for Preventative Measures
Masking, clean air, and vaccinations are essential in combating COVID-19 and preventing long-term impacts, as evidence mounts of long COVID's significant economic, cognitive, and behavioral effects.
Research opportunity: What factors influence wellbeing and distress in people with Long Covid? - Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland
A study is being run by an NHS employee and postgraduate student at the University of Edinburgh into the psychological and social factors influencing wellbeing and distress in people with Long Covid. The study aims to explore how people cope with challenging Long Covid symptoms and how this impacts mental health. This could help healthcare … Continued
Frontiers | Effects of COVID-19 Virus-like particles on behavioral and cognitive performance of human apolipoprotein E targeted replacement mice
The effects of viral infections might be apolipoprotein E (apoE) isoform-dependent. In humans, there are three major apoE isoforms, E2, E3, and E4. E4 is ass...
‘We need Psychologists… but please don’t psychologise Long Covid’ | BPS
Dr Aspa Paltoglou hears from physician Dr David Joffe about what’s needed from our discipline; from Janina Bradshaw about what Psychotherapists can do; and from occupational therapist Kirsty Stanley.
Stroop task and practice effects demonstrate cognitive dysfunction in long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome
Scientific Reports - Stroop task and practice effects demonstrate cognitive dysfunction in long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome
Unraveling the psychological impact of COVID-19 on young minds
The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, brought immense disruption to individuals and societies worldwide, including children and adolescents. Alongside its immediate physical health impacts, the pandemic had a profound effect on mental health.