Evaluation of anxiety, depression and sleep disorder in patients followed up in isolation with the diagnosis of COVID-19 at Ankara city Hospital Beytepe Medical Observatory

Introduction and Aim: COVID-19 is a highly contagious and deadly epidemic that affects people worldwide. Its effect has been ongoing since WHO declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Although the restrictions on social life in the early days when the disease started to spread have decreased, the disease still poses a danger and has left irreversible physical and psychological damage. Evidence from previous coronavirus outbreaks has shown that infected patients are at risk of developing psychiatric and neurological health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and sleep disorders in patients whose diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by PCR test and who are in isolation, using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and to examine its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: Our cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted on patients hospitalized in isolation with a positive COVID-19 PCR test at Ankara City Hospital Beytepe Medical Observatory. The study was carried out between 23.06.2021 and 15.08.2021. A questionnaire questioning their sociodemographic characteristics, health status and various habits, besides HAD and PUKI scales, were administered face-to-face to the patients. While evaluating the findings obtained in the study, SPSS 22.0 statistical package program was used for statistical analysis. Since the data were not suitable for normal distribution, comparisons were made with non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test). The comparisons were in the 95% confidence interval; p<0.05 was evaluated at the significance level. Results: The mean age of the participants was 25.53±6.83, and 325 participants, 12 of whom were women, were examined. According to HAD and PUKI, 10.01% of the participants were at the risk of anxiety, and 35.69% were at the risk of depression. In our study, the rate of sleep disorder was 46%. It was found that fatigue due to COVID-19, having income less than expenditure, starting smoking below 18 years of age, and experiencing a sad event recently, were all positively related to all three scores. Anxiety and depression scores were positively related to smoking and negatively related to exercise. The use of caffeinated beverages and alcohol was positively correlated with the PUKI and anxiety scores. Living alone and having an education at the literate-primary school level were associated with depression scores, whereas being single, not having children, increased education level, doing exercise in the evening, falling asleep in front of a screen, were positively associated with the PUKI scores. Conclusion: It is known that COVID-19 has physical and psychological effects. Over time, it has been seen that even if the epidemic ends, the psychological effects on people can continue. Therefore, more studies on the subject are required. It is crucial to provide consultancy to the public about the disease and explain the necessity of quarantine. It is necessary to be prepared for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and other mental health problems that may occur and to diagnose quickly. In the patient group we examined, it was observed that HAD and PUKI scores were above normal values. Considering that many patients diagnosed with COVID-19 remained in isolation during the pandemic process, and the family physicians followed a significant portion of these patients, we believe that a bio-psychosocial approach will be beneficial for patients in isolation. Follow-up of chronic diseases is also vital at this point, as there may be an exacerbation of existing diseases as well as an increase in new psychiatric cases. Keywords: COVID-19, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, quarantine, pandemic.