A new study published in Lancet Psychiatry has shown that the odds of death or being hospitalized after a COVID-19 infection in individuals with psychiatric disorders are double of that seen in individuals without mental disorders.

Investigators obtained data from 33 studies from across 22 countries, involving 1,469,731 patients with COVID-19; 43,938 of these had mental disorders. Twenty three studies formed part of a random-effects meta-analysis of crude and adjusted odds ratios for COVID-19 related death, hospital admission, and ICU admission in people with comorbid mental disorders, looking into various diagnostic groups and psychiatric drugs. The study noted ICU admission rates were not affected. People with psychotic disorders and mood disorders, and those receiving treatment with antipsychotics or anxiolytics seemed to be the most prone for mortality related to COVID-19. Individuals with substance use disorders were found to have a greater risk for hospitalization due to COVID-19… (HT – ANI, July 19, 2021)