Long Term Impact of Covid 19 On Psychiatric Health and Quality of Life in Recovered Patients

Background: Covid-19 has a devastating impact on different dimensions of life, including health. Recent studies have highlighted the effects of prolonged Covid-19 symptoms on mental health. Aim: This study aims to 1) assess psychiatric illness among individuals previously diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and treated on an inpatient basis, and 2) evaluate the quality of life of individuals with and without psychiatric illness. Method: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care general hospital in South India and involved 200 patients with COVID-19 infection who received treatment through an inpatient facility. The study utilized a sociodemographic data sheet, a general health questionnaire, a Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, WHO's Quality of Life scale, and psychiatric diagnosis according to ICD-10 criteria. Results: The findings show that 39.5% of participants had a psychiatric illness. Mild to moderate depression (15.00%), adjustment disorder (9.50%), major depressive disorder (9.00%), and anxiety and panic disorders (4.50%) were frequently reported psychiatric conditions. Anxiety (p Conclusion: More than one third of COVID-19 patients developed psychiatric disorders, like anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders, three months after leaving the hospital. Some participants did not seek treatment, so it's important to develop strategies to reach them, both offline and online.