Anxiety-Depressive Disorders in 200 Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Prevalence and Predictors from a Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Recovering from COVID-19 does not always imply a full return to health and may lead to the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Post-COVID-19 manifestations include, among others, symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders and to identify their exogenous and endogenous predictors in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Materials and Methods: The study included 200 participants (116 women and 84 men, aged 18–80) diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Participants completed psychological assessments, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Comorbidities were also evaluated. Results: Based on the HADS, anxiety was identified in 41.5% of respondents and depression in 39.5%. Generalized anxiety disorder was screened positive for 36.5% of respondents (GAD-7), while mild depression was observed in 37.0% (BDI). Among participants with post-COVID-19 syndrome and diabetes, the risk of developing depression was three times higher than in individuals without comorbidities. In smoking women with post-COVID-19 syndrome and diabetes, the risk of developing depressive disorders was estimated to exceed 90%. Conclusions: The risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome and multimorbidity is very high, highlighting the need for preventive psychological care, including targeted screening programs, for those at greatest risk.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medicina
Published
2026-06-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071234
Primary Topic
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Type
article
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article

Anxiety-Depressive Disorders in 200 Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Prevalence and Predictors from a Cross-Sectional Study

Jarosław Walkowiak, Anna Szczepańska-Álvarez, Sławomira Drzymała-Czyż, Sylwia Drzymała et al.
Medicina
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
article

Anxiety-Depressive Disorders in 200 Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Prevalence and Predictors from a Cross-Sectional Study

Jarosław Walkowiak, Anna Szczepańska-Álvarez, Sławomira Drzymała-Czyż, Sylwia Drzymała, Małgorzata Dobrzyńska, Anna Blask-Osipa, Hanna Markowska
article en

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Recovering from COVID-19 does not always imply a full return to health and may lead to the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Post-COVID-19 manifestations include, among others, symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders and to identify their exogenous and endogenous predictors in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Materials and Methods: The study included 200 participants (116 women and 84 men, aged 18–80) diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome. Participants completed psychological assessments, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Comorbidities were also evaluated. Results: Based on the HADS, anxiety was identified in 41.5% of respondents and depression in 39.5%. Generalized anxiety disorder was screened positive for 36.5% of respondents (GAD-7), while mild depression was observed in 37.0% (BDI). Among participants with post-COVID-19 syndrome and diabetes, the risk of developing depression was three times higher than in individuals without comorbidities. In smoking women with post-COVID-19 syndrome and diabetes, the risk of developing depressive disorders was estimated to exceed 90%. Conclusions: The risk of developing anxiety and depressive disorders in individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome and multimorbidity is very high, highlighting the need for preventive psychological care, including targeted screening programs, for those at greatest risk.

MedicinaVol. 62(7)
Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PL), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region (IN), University of Life Sciences in Poznań (PL)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
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