COVID-19-related anxiety, fear and biopsychosocial risk factors on functionality in euthymic bipolar disorder patients

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the influence of COVID-19 fear, anxiety and biopsychosocial risk factors on the functionality of euthymic bipolar patients by comparing with those of a healthy control group in pandemic. Methods: Eighty euthymic BD patients and eighty healthy controls took part in this case-control study conducted between November 2021 and August 2022. Participants were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), Perceptions and Attitudes towards COVID-19 Pandemic Questionnaire (PACPQ), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale-Short Form (CAS), and Coronavirus Fear Scale (CFS). Results: Among individuals diagnosed with BD, 71.3% (n = 57) had BD-Type 1, while 28.8% (n = 23) had BD-Type 2. In comparison to healthy controls, BD patients exhibited a statistically significant increase in overall sleep, appetite, and alcohol consumption and demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in time spent on social and physical activities during the pandemic period FAST, PACPQ, CAS, Perception of Disease, Reasons, and Behaviors of Avoidance subscale scores were notably higher in BD patients (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that the total number of BD episodes during the pandemic and the years of education were significant factors in explaining the average FAST total score (OR, respectively 0.224, -0.226; p < 0.05) Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, euthymic bipolar patients showed increased avoidance behaviors and lifestyle changes. Functional impairment was predicted by the number of episodes and education level.