Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in COVID Patients After Discharge from COVID-Intensive Care Unit (COVID-ICU) at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the PTSD in patients who suffered from COVID 19, received treatment, and stayed
at COVID ICU.
Method: Study was conducted in COVID-ICU SHL Lahore after 1st wave of COVID (May to August 2020).
Among 100 sick Patients 60 discharged from the ICU and 34 participants were included in the study, who
responded to our telephonic calls after 6-8 weeks of Discharge from ICU. Rest of the patients were excluded
due to different reasons mainly wrong contact number/inadequate information by person interviewed. A
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ- 9) was used to grade the symptoms of PTSD in the participants
telephonically after taking informed consent. The PSDT was categorized into four categories as mild,
moderate and severe categories.
Results: Forty-one %(n=14) patients had mild PSDT followed by 'moderate' 23%(n= 8) and minimal
20%(n=7). Fifteen out of 34 participants were of age 50-60 years. Highest PSDT was noted in short stayed
patients.
Conclusion: High depression/PSDT in covid ICU discharged patient is alarming. All patients being
discharged after covid should undergo depression screening and prescribe prompt treatment for mental
health issues.

How to cite: Hussain M, Naqvi SMA, Gohar M, Tahir A, Nadeem N, Asif S, Naveed M. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in
COVID Patients after Discharge from COVID-Intensive Care Unit (COVID-ICU) at a Tertiary Care Hospital. Esculapio - JSIMS
2022;18(03):292-296