More than half of Covid-19 patients report major stressful events in the post-Covid period. Those who suffer such events within one year of surviving Covid-19 are more likely to develop long Covid symptoms, suggests a new research published in the Journal of the Neurological Sciences.¹

In this prospective study of hospitalized Covid-19 patients, Frontera et al evaluated long-term outcomes and other post-acute Covid symptoms at 6 and 12-months after Covid. A total of 451 Covid survivors were evaluated; 383 finished a 6-month follow-up, while 242 completed a 12-month follow-up.

Within a year after hospital discharge, 77 (17%) of the patients examined died and 51% reported major life stressor events such as financial insecurity, food insecurity, death of a close contact and new disability. On multivariate analysis, the presence of these life stressors was strongly predictive of adverse outcomes one year after post-Covid hospitalization in terms of disability, difficulty in activities of daily living (ADL), depression, fatigue, sleep problems and post-acute symptoms of COVID-19. The adjusted odds ratios for these associations ranged between 2.5 and 20.8. 

Older patients, female patients and those who had disability at the starting point of the study were more likely to have poor outcomes post-hospitalization. Greater severity of the Covid-19 infection was associated with prolonged post-acute symptoms and difficulties in activities of daily living. Older patients were more likely to experience disability, problems with ADL and cognition and depression. Women patients reported more anxiety along with difficulties in ADL.

This study spotlights the contribution of stressful life events on the outcomes after hospitalization for Covid-19 while reiterating the role of established risk factors such as advanced age, severity of infection in post-Covid acute symptoms and long Covid symptoms. A holistic approach is required when managing such patients and the psychosocial factors also need to be addressed for optimum patient recovery.

Reference

1. Frontera JA, et al. Life stressors significantly impact long-term outcomes and post-acute symptoms 12-months after COVID-19 hospitalization. J Neurol Sci. 2022 Nov 5;443:120487. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120487.