Post-COVID Mood Disorders and Their Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Caucasian Cohort

Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome has been associated with persistent psychological symptoms, including affective disturbances. This study assesses the severity of mood alterations and examines associated demographic and clinical risk factors in individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 individuals from the Caucasian region, 3 to 24 months post-COVID-19 recovery. Affective symptom burden was assessed using the PHQ-9 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Key variables included age, sex, physical health, hospitalisation, quarantine history, vaccination status, and biomarkers (CRP, IL-6). Descriptive trends indicated elevated affective symptom scores among women, middle-aged participants, and those with poor physical health. However, statistical significance was not achieved (PHQ-9: p > 0.5; BDI: p > 0.2). PHQ-9 and BDI scores correlated positively, validating consistent mood-related symptomatology across tools. Variables such as duration since COVID-19, economic impact, and sleep patterns are under further investigation. Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, observed trends suggest specific demographic groups may be more vulnerable to post-COVID depressive symptoms. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health follow-up and future longitudinal studies to validate and further explore these trends.