The risk of severe acute respiratory infections and COVID-19 in patients with neuropsychiatric disorder
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on November 16th, 2022
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Previous cohort studies had found that patients with severe neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression are at a greater risk of developing severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), including COVID-19. In addition, it has been reported that the usage of certain neuropsychiatric drugs increases the susceptibility to airway infections. Since COVID-19 is becoming endemic, a study has been conducted to understand the risk profile of certain neuropsychiatric conditions and treatments.
The longitudinal cohort study examined the QResearch database of English primary care records and enrolled approximately 20 million adults into the study. The study population was then stratified into 2 cohorts; patients with visits made between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled into the pre-pandemic cohort. Those with visits made between 2020 and 2021 were enrolled into the contemporary cohort. The study reported that patients who had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder have a 16% greater risk of contracting a severe acute respiratory infection in general, and COVID-19 to be specific. The risk of SARI is 2.56 times higher in those who are living with a psychotic disorder; the risk of severe COVID-19 is 2.37 in this group. This elevated risk is not observed in patients with dementia. Thus, healthcare professionals who are providing care to patients with the conditions mentioned above should be aware of the risk and take appropriate preventative actions.
The longitudinal cohort study examined the QResearch database of English primary care records and enrolled approximately 20 million adults into the study. The study population was then stratified into 2 cohorts; patients with visits made between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled into the pre-pandemic cohort. Those with visits made between 2020 and 2021 were enrolled into the contemporary cohort. The study reported that patients who had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder have a 16% greater risk of contracting a severe acute respiratory infection in general, and COVID-19 to be specific. The risk of SARI is 2.56 times higher in those who are living with a psychotic disorder; the risk of severe COVID-19 is 2.37 in this group. This elevated risk is not observed in patients with dementia. Thus, healthcare professionals who are providing care to patients with the conditions mentioned above should be aware of the risk and take appropriate preventative actions.