Psychiatric Findings in Suspected and Confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Patients Quarantined in Hospital: A Retrospective Chart Analysis.
- Author:
Hyun Chung KIM
1
;
So Young YOO
;
Bun Hee LEE
;
So Hee LEE
;
Hyoung Shik SHIN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Middle east respiratory syndrome; Quarantined hospitalization; Psychiatric symptoms; Depression; Emerging infectious diseases
- MeSH: Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Coronavirus Infections*; Depression; Humans; Inpatients; Length of Stay; Linear Models; Male; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus; Middle East*; Quarantine; Retrospective Studies*; Risk Factors; Survivors
- From:Psychiatry Investigation 2018;15(4):355-360
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the psychiatric complications or risk factors for depression in suspected or confirmed Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) patients quarantined in hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all the patients admitted to the acute MERS inpatient unit at the NMC during the 2015 outbreak. RESULTS: 30 (75%) were confirmed to be MERS-CoV positive among 40 admitted cases. Among the 24 MERS survivors, 17 (70.8%) exhibited psychiatric symptoms and 10 (41.7%) received a psychiatric diagnosis and medication during their hospital stay. Suspected MERS patients did not exhibit psychiatric symptoms or receive a psychiatric diagnosis. 27 suspected or confirmed MERS patients (age 41.15±18.64, male 37.0%) completed psychological assessments. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-Short form and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores were significantly positively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the acute treatment of MERS-CoV infections in quarantine had a significant impact on the patients’ mental health. Furthermore, assessment of the risk factors for depression may identify vulnerable patients who require psychiatric care and attention during hospital quarantine.
