Avaliação da saúde mental de pacientes pós-COVID-19 habitantes de um município do norte gaúcho submetidos a períodos de internação hospitalar

Abstract

Objectives: to evaluate the post-COVID-19 mental health of patients undergoing periods of hospitalization, estimating the prevalence of anxiety and depression in these patients, as well as describing their sociodemographic and health characteristics. Methodology: this is a cross-sectional study, carried out with patients over 18 years of age, inhabitants of a municipality in northern of Rio Grande do Sul, who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021. A questionnaire was applied via telephone in order to assess anxiety and depression after the hospital stay. The Hamilton scales – Depression and Anxiety – were used as a parameter to assess these psychiatric conditions in patients. Results: the sample consisted of 28 participants, with an average length of hospital stay of 14.32 days. The previous diagnosis of depression was observed in 32.1% of the sample, while anxiety in 50%. By means of the applied scales, it was seen that depression and anxiety were found in 82.1% and 64.3% of the individuals, respectively. Conclusion: it was noted that the COVID- 19 pandemic had important significance in increasing the incidence and prevalence of anxiety and depression in the analyzed sample.