[ad_1]
Topline
In another troubling set of findings on the long-term impact of Covid-19, a new peer-reviewed study has confirmed the reported links between psychiatric illness and Covid-19, with nearly one in five Covid-19 patients developing a mental illness in three months. of positive tests for the virus and people with pre-existing mental conditions are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19, even taking into account other risk factors.
One in five Covid-19 patients is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within three months of … [+]
Key facts
By examining the health records of 69 million people in the US, including more than 62,000 Covid-19 patients, researchers from the University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Center for Health Biomedical Research found evidence of that Covid-19 increases a person’s risk of developing a psychiatric illness, with one in five receiving a diagnosis within three months of testing positive.
Covid-19 patients were compared to those with other medical problems, including those with other respiratory infections, bone fractures, flu, and skin infections, over time to ensure that any changes in psychiatric diagnoses could be related to the infection.
Not all mental illnesses were more likely in Covid-19 patients, the researchers said, with higher rates of anxiety, depression and insomnia.
The researchers said they found no clear signs of newly diagnosed psychotic disorders in patients with Covid-19, which includes schizophrenia, although they did note a higher likelihood of relapse in patients already living with the conditions.
There was also an “unexpected” finding in the research, indicating that those with a pre-existing psychiatric illness are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19, even when other factors are taken into account.
Dr. Max Taquet, one of the researchers, said the unexpected finding “needs investigation” and recommended that having a psychiatric disorder “should be added to the list of risk factors for Covid-19.”
Key Background
While there have been studies and reports warning of an impending mental health crisis sparked by widespread change, uncertainty, and isolation amid social distancing measures, the scope of this research really highlights the scale of the problem. It is compounded by a growing body of evidence looking at the long-term impacts of a Covid-19 infection on the body, with rashes and “Covid toes”, both symptoms of “Long Covid”, which can affect the body for months.
Crucial appointment
Paul Harrison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford and leader of the study, said the findings validate concerns that Covid-19 survivors are at increased risk for mental health problems. “Services must be ready to provide care, especially since our results are likely to underestimate the actual number of cases,” he said. “We need urgent research to investigate the causes and identify new treatments.”
Tangent
Pfizer and BioNTech announced the first results of their Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial on Monday, revealing that it is 90% effective in preventing the disease. Even though Pfizer received no money from Operation Warp Speed from the US government, officials, including President Trump, his daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were quick to falsely claim the credit for the job.
Other readings
Bidirectional Associations Between COVID-19 and Psychiatric Disorder: Retrospective Cohort Studies of 62,354 COVID-19 Cases in the US (Lancet Psychiatry)
‘Covid toes’, rashes and hives: new research supports long-term impact on skin of Covid-19 (Forbes)
Ivanka Trump falsely credits the government for the success of the Pfizer (Forbes) vaccine
Pfizer says the Covid-19 vaccine is 90% effective, although trials are ongoing (Forbes)
Full coverage and live updates on Coronavirus
[ad_2]
